What are the hazards of turning off the engine directly without shifting to P gear when parking?
2 Answers
The hazards of turning off the engine directly without shifting to P gear when parking are as follows: 1. When parking after driving, an automatic transmission vehicle must be turned off and shifted into P gear to remove the key. Many people are accustomed to stopping the car, directly shifting to P gear, turning off the engine, and then pulling the handbrake. 2. After turning off the engine, the vehicle usually moves slightly back and forth due to uneven road surfaces. At this time, the P gear transmission has an engagement device that locks with the transmission gears, and this slight movement can cause some impact on the transmission gears. The correct steps for parking and turning off the engine in an automatic transmission vehicle are as follows: 1. Press the brake to ensure the vehicle is stationary and shift the gear to N; 2. Pull the handbrake; 3. Shift to P gear and release the brake; 4. Turn off all unnecessary electrical equipment in the vehicle; 5. Check that the gear is already in P, all unrelated electrical equipment is turned off, and the steering wheel is straightened; 6. Rotate the key counterclockwise to the end, or press the one-button start switch to adjust the ignition switch gear to OFF.
Forgetting to shift into P before turning off the engine is quite common, but it can be quite harmful. If the car is parked on a slope without being in P, it might roll away on its own, leading to accidents. I've experienced this myself—once parked on a slope in my neighborhood, forgot to shift into P, and the car rolled a bit right after turning off the engine. Luckily, it didn't hit anything. This habit also causes uneven stress on internal parts of the automatic transmission, leading to long-term wear and costly repairs. Additionally, many car models require shifting into P to remove the key; otherwise, the key gets stuck, which is a hassle. I recommend everyone develop a fixed parking routine: first shift into P, then engage the handbrake, and finally turn off the engine—ensuring safety and prolonging the car's lifespan. Regularly checking vehicle status, like gear indicators, can also help beginners avoid mistakes.
