Should You Use P or N Gear for Idling Warm-Up?
2 Answers
Both P and N gears can be used for idling warm-up, but it is recommended to use P gear. If the vehicle is in N gear without the parking brake engaged, it may roll away. Using P gear for warm-up is the safest option, as it neither harms the transmission nor poses any risk of rolling. Below are specific details about automatic transmission warm-up: 1. Starting in N gear can prevent the impact on the transmission caused by P gear unlocking. 2. When starting in P gear, the vehicle must pass through R gear, whereas starting in N gear allows direct entry into D gear. The unlocking of P gear's locking mechanism is the first impact on the transmission, and entering R gear is the second impact, whereas N gear allows direct entry into D gear. 3. Using P gear for automatic transmission warm-up is safer, as it locks the tires. If the vehicle is in N gear on uneven ground, it may roll even with the handbrake engaged. Additionally, warm-up in N gear results in lower gearbox oil levels, which can damage the gears.
I remember old-school drivers always said you had to idle for ages to warm up the car, and putting it in N gear could save some fuel, but times have changed. Nowadays, with automatic transmission cars, there's no need to be too particular about idling to warm up after starting—just let the oil pump circulate within 30 seconds. I usually leave it in P gear because this gear is specifically designed for parking, locking the transmission to prevent rolling—safety first. While N gear can also be used, you'd need to engage the handbrake, otherwise there might be risks on slopes. In practice, just shifting to P gear and waiting is perfectly fine; idling for over a minute actually wastes fuel and pollutes the environment. What's truly hassle-free is driving at low speeds after starting to warm up the engine, as it reduces load and wear. Regular maintenance checks on oil quality and preventing carbon buildup in the engine are all you need. In short, P gear is the optimal choice—saving time and effort.
