What are the consequences of suddenly shifting to P gear while driving?
3 Answers
Shifting to P gear suddenly while driving can damage the locking mechanism inside the transmission and also easily damage the gear shift switch inside the transmission. When the vehicle is not completely stationary, never shift directly into P gear, as it can easily cause damage to the pawl inside the transmission. Therefore, the vehicle must always come to a complete stop before shifting into P gear. The following is an introduction to the working principle of the transmission P gear: In fact, the P gear works similarly to the N gear, both of which block the power transmitted from the engine to the wheels by separating the gears. However, the P gear has an additional parking gear and pawl compared to the N gear in terms of structure. When shifted into P gear, the pawl tightly locks the gear on the output shaft, forming a mechanical lock, thereby securing the drive axle and fixing the stationary vehicle.
During one drive, I accidentally shifted into P gear while the car was still moving slowly, resulting in a loud bang from the transmission as the gears locked up. During repairs, it was found that the locking pin had broken, costing several thousand dollars to fix. Since then, I've learned that P gear should only be used when the car is completely stopped, otherwise, the internal mechanical components suffer too much impact. It's like slamming on the brakes, which can cause sudden jolts or loss of control, especially at high speeds, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. I now always remind my friends to maintain a calm mindset while driving, avoid hasty operations, and ensure the brake is firmly pressed before shifting gears when stopping. If a misoperation does occur, the first response should be to safely pull over and stop completely, rather than continuing to drive, as this can worsen the damage and pose a threat to personal safety.
As an ordinary car owner, I've heard that suddenly shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion is terrible and can severely damage the transmission. Last time in the parking lot, I almost made that mistake by accidentally slipping my hand, but luckily I braked in time and stopped. If I had actually done it, the gears or the locking mechanism might have been damaged, leading to super expensive repairs and requiring a tow to the repair shop. Even worse, the car could suddenly stop or jerk, increasing the risk of a crash. That's why I always drive carefully, only shifting gears when the car is completely stationary, and I teach my kids not to mess with the gear lever. Remember, safety comes first—get used to the proper parking procedure: slow down, come to a complete stop, and then shift gears. If it ever happens, don't start the engine; pull over immediately and check the situation.
