What Causes the Gear to Make Noise When Pressing the Brake in P Mode?
2 Answers
The noise heard when pressing the brake in P mode is caused by the protective device inside the transmission. When you press the brake in P mode, the sound is produced as the gear lever locking mechanism releases. Below is information about automatic transmission gears: Automatic transmission gears are divided into P, R, N, D, 2, and 1 or L: 1. P: Used for parking. It employs a mechanical device to lock the rotating parts of the car, preventing movement. When the car needs to remain stationary for an extended period or before leaving the vehicle after parking, the hand brake should be engaged, and the lever should be pushed into the "P" position. The P gear should only be used when the vehicle is completely stopped; otherwise, the mechanical parts of the automatic transmission may be damaged. 2. R: Reverse gear, used for backing up the vehicle. Typically, the safety button on the lever must be pressed to move the lever to the "R" position. The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting to "R" gear; otherwise, the transmission may suffer severe damage. 3. N: Neutral gear. When the lever is placed in the "N" position, the power between the engine and the transmission is cut off. For short stops, the lever can be placed in this position while pulling the hand brake, allowing the right foot to rest away from the brake pedal. 4. D: Drive gear, used for normal road driving. Due to different designs across vehicle models, the "D" gear generally includes gears from 1 to high or 2 to high, automatically shifting based on speed and load. When the lever is placed in the "D" position, the driver can control the speed simply by adjusting the throttle pedal. 5. 2: Second gear is a forward gear, but the transmission can only switch between 1st and 2nd gears, not jumping to 3rd or 4th. When the lever is placed in the 2nd position, the car starts in 1st gear and automatically shifts to 2nd as speed increases. This gear is useful for ascending or descending slopes, as it keeps the vehicle steadily in 1st or 2nd gear. 6. 1: First gear is also a forward gear, but the transmission operates only in 1st gear without shifting to others. It is most effective in heavy traffic conditions or on steep slopes. When ascending or descending, it fully utilizes the engine's torque.
I've encountered this situation before too, where there's a creaking sound when stepping on the brake in P gear, which is quite annoying. This might be related to the vehicle's shift interlock mechanism. When you press the brake in P gear, the brake system activates a locking device to prevent accidental gear movement. If the sound is quite loud, it could be due to worn parts or lack of lubrication in that mechanism. I suggest you try pressing the brake a few more times to see if the sound consistently appears, or check if the brake lights are functioning properly, as faulty brake switches often cause such abnormal noises. Don’t forget to check the brake fluid level—if it's too low, it might affect the entire system. If the noise persists, it's best not to delay and take the car to a repair shop for a thorough inspection to prevent it from turning into a more serious safety issue. With cars, small problems left unattended can easily become big troubles.
