What causes the abnormal noise when shifting to P gear while driving?
2 Answers
The reasons and solutions for abnormal noise when shifting to P gear are as follows: 1. According to the structural design of automatic transmissions, this sound is considered normal. The P gear is designed as a parking gear, and its principle involves a brake pawl engaging with a ring gear. As long as the ring gear is in gear, this P gear locking mechanism is caused by the interaction between the gear on the internal output shaft of the transmission and the locking pin. This is why the vehicle cannot move forward or backward when shifted to P gear, with the force appropriately increasing on steeper slopes. 2. For this situation, it is recommended to first bring the vehicle to a complete stop, engage the manual brake (handbrake), and then shift to P gear for better results. Additionally, it is advisable to check the performance of the engine pawl, as degraded performance may lead to the aforementioned phenomenon.
I heard about this situation while driving. Shifting into P gear while moving and hearing abnormal noises is extremely dangerous. It forces the transmission's locking mechanism to collide with rotating gears, producing rattling or grinding sounds, like metal tearing. This is not a minor issue. The P gear is designed for parking. The moment it's engaged, that small hook latches into the large gear, which can damage internal components and even potentially lock the wheels. I've personally seen cases where owners performed this operation, leading to major transmission repairs costing tens of thousands. If you hear similar abnormal noises, you should immediately slow down and stop to avoid further driving and increasing damage. Develop good habits: only shift into P gear when the car is completely stopped, and operate the gear lever slowly. For safety, avoid distractions while driving and frequently check the gear indicator light. Regular transmission fluid maintenance can also prevent subsequent problems caused by improper operations.
