What are the effects of shifting to P gear while driving?

[MacAniyah]

The effects of shifting to P gear while driving are: 1. Severe wear of gears inside the transmission, leading to abnormal noises; 2. Damage or complete failure of the transmission and drivetrain components; 3. Gear damage. Precautions for using P gear are: 1. The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting to P gear; 2. When parking on a slope, engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear; 3. When P gear is engaged, the drive shaft is mechanically locked, making towing impossible; 4. P gear can only be shifted to other gears after the key is turned to the power-on position; 5. When shifting from P gear to drive gear, accurately move the gear selector lever to avoid incorrect gear engagement due to impatience or other reasons.

[Jensen]

I've been driving an automatic transmission car for several years. Once, while driving at low speed in the city, I accidentally shifted into P gear. The car jerked violently and nearly came to a sudden stop, which really startled me. This behavior is actually very dangerous because the P gear is designed to lock the transmission and prevent the car from moving. If engaged while the vehicle is in motion, the internal gears of the transmission can experience severe impact, potentially damaging the parking pawl or driveshaft. In cases of serious mechanical damage, the entire transmission may require an overhaul, costing thousands of dollars, not to mention potential safety hazards like sudden stops leading to rear-end collisions. Since then, I've made it a habit to only use P gear when the car is completely stopped—safety first. New drivers are prone to making this mistake, so I recommend practicing gear operations more to avoid accidents.

[PhoebeMarie]

From a family safety perspective, I always remind my wife not to recklessly shift gears while driving. Shifting into Park (P) while the car is moving can cause the transmission to lock up instantly, leading to sudden stops and dangerous skidding, much like slamming on the brakes. This is especially risky with children in the car, as those not wearing seatbelts could get injured. Additionally, frequent gear mis-shifting increases wear and tear, leading to more repairs. Last year, with our tight budget, a single transmission repair cost us 1,500. Therefore, avoid touching the gearshift before coming to a complete stop, and using Neutral (N) at red lights is a safer practice. Protecting the car means protecting your family, so stay focused during everyday driving.

[LeAna]

I did this in the first year of owning my car—accidentally shifted into P while driving on the highway, causing the car to shake violently and stall. Later at the repair shop, the mechanic said the transmission's internal locking mechanism was slightly damaged, costing 800 yuan to fix. Shifting to P while driving is mostly a manual operation mistake; although automatic transmissions have protection mechanisms, risks remain. After the repair, I learned my lesson and now only shift gears when parked. New drivers can easily panic, so it’s wise to read the user manual thoroughly to prevent similar mistakes.