What are the consequences of accidentally stepping on the accelerator while in P gear with a loud noise?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios when stepping on the accelerator while in P gear: First, pressing the accelerator while stationary in P gear; Second, pressing the accelerator while moving in P gear. The outcomes of these two situations are entirely different. The former causes minimal damage to the vehicle, while the latter may result in irreversible harm. Both scenarios share a common characteristic: when the accelerator is pressed in P gear, you will hear the engine roar, and the transmission will emit a loud clicking noise. Important note: To understand whether stepping on the accelerator in P gear harms the vehicle, it's essential to first grasp the P gear locking mechanism: It works by shifting to push the parking pawl (resembling a flat hammerhead) into the grooves of the transmission lock wheel, thereby locking the output shaft to complete the parking lock.
Having worked in auto repair for decades, I've encountered many such cases. When the transmission is fully locked in P gear, the engine revs skyrocket but the power has nowhere to go. That sudden loud noise usually comes from engine freewheeling and impact on drivetrain components. This causes significant damage: the automatic transmission's gears and bearings endure extra load, potentially leading to premature wear or cracking; internal engine parts like piston rings are prone to overheating and deformation. Habitual operation like this greatly increases risks of driveshaft deformation or differential damage. Once, I repaired a vehicle where the owner routinely did this - ended up replacing the entire transmission assembly with repair costs exceeding ten thousand. My advice: immediately release the throttle and shut off the engine upon hearing the noise to prevent further damage, then promptly visit a professional shop for inspection to avoid accumulated hidden dangers causing major failures.
