Should You Use P Gear or N Gear When Parking?
2 Answers
When parking, both P gear and N gear should be used. The methods are as follows: 1. Parking on flat ground: After stepping on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a gradual stop, shift to N gear, then engage the handbrake, turn off the engine, and finally shift to P gear. 2. Parking on a slope: It is necessary to shift to N gear, firmly engage the handbrake, release the brake, and then turn off the engine. When starting an automatic transmission vehicle, avoid stepping hard on the accelerator. It is also not advisable to use N gear for coasting in an automatic transmission, as this can damage the car's engine and transmission, leading to varying degrees of wear. Additionally, a vehicle without power is in a passive state, compromising safety. If the vehicle is parked on flat ground for an extended period without the risk of rolling, N gear can be used for parking, which reduces the burden on the car's mechanisms and extends the lifespan of the internal components of the parking system.
I've been driving for over a decade and have developed the habit of shifting into P (Park) when parking. If you stop the car and attempt to turn off the engine without shifting into P, the vehicle's system will prevent you from removing the key—this is a safety lock. I remember once on a steep slope, I carelessly left it in N (Neutral) without engaging the handbrake, and the car slowly rolled backward. Fortunately, it only hit a trash can, and no accident occurred. Now I've established a routine: press the brake, shift into P, firmly engage the handbrake, and only then turn off the engine. For temporary stops, like at a red light, if it's brief, I stay in D (Drive) with the brake pressed. If it lasts over a minute, I shift into N to give my foot a break. The advantage of P is that it locks the transmission, preventing unintended movement and protecting the gearbox. Developing this habit can save a lot on repair costs and trouble, especially for beginners. In short, based on personal experience, P is the standard for parking and turning off the engine—never skip it out of laziness.
