The Hazards of Shifting Directly from R to P Gear?
3 Answers
Hazards include the P gear directly locking the gear teeth. When the gears are rotating at high speed, they can be suddenly caught by the P gear's hook, causing the wheels to lock instantly or the gears to break directly. Below is an introduction to car gears: 1. P Gear: The P gear is used for parking. It utilizes a mechanical device to lock the rotating parts of the car, preventing it from moving. When the engine is running, as long as the gear lever is in the driving position, an automatic transmission car can move easily. When parking, the gear lever must be shifted into the P position, which locks the output shaft through the internal parking brake mechanism of the transmission and tightens the handbrake to prevent the car from moving. When the car needs to stay in a fixed position for a long time or before leaving the vehicle after parking, the handbrake should be engaged, and the lever should be pushed into the "P" position. 2. R Gear (Reverse): The R gear should be used when reversing. Unlike manual transmission cars, automatic transmission cars cannot use the semi-clutch technique, so special attention should be paid to the control of the accelerator pedal when reversing. Usually, the safety button on the lever must be pressed to move the lever to the "R" gear. It is important to note that when the vehicle has not completely stopped, you must not force it into the "R" gear, as this can cause severe damage to the transmission.
I once tried shifting directly from R to P while driving, thinking it would save some trouble, but the car jerked violently and almost damaged the transmission. Later, a friend told me that this puts excessive stress on the parking pawl mechanism, leading to premature wear or even breakage, especially if the car is still slightly moving. The repair costs can be hefty, starting from thousands. Now I always shift to N first, wait until the car comes to a complete stop, engage the handbrake firmly, and then gently shift into P. Developing good habits extends transmission life—don’t forget regular brake system checks and maintaining safe following distances for peace of mind.
As a young car owner, I've found that the habit of shifting gears directly to save trouble can cause problems. Shifting straight from R to P is like yanking the transmission, which can easily deform internal gears or cause gear grinding. Over time, noticeable jerking occurs. Research on my phone shows this can jam the parking pawl, leading to costly and time-consuming repairs. Prevention is simple: after the car comes to a complete stop, shift to N for a few seconds as a buffer before engaging P. Remind yourself not to be lazy—protecting your car's structure ensures worry-free driving, especially in frequent urban traffic where careful operation is essential.
