What does P mean in a car?

[EverlyLee]

Car inside P means: 1. Dashboard displays P: The symbol is a circle with a P in the middle, parentheses on both sides of the circle, and the entire symbol is red, representing the parking brake indicator; 2. The P button on the car: It is the on/off key for the reversing radar, and the reversing radar on the car is turned on by default; 3. The P on the gear: The P gear is the abbreviation of English parking, which is the parking gear. It is mostly used when turning off the engine and parking. Many cars need to be put into P gear before they can be powered off, the key can be pulled out, and the car door can be locked. After shifting into P gear, the car's braking device will be locked.

[ChristianLee]

When I first learned to drive, I was also quite confused about what the P gear on the car actually meant. It took asking friends a few times to understand that P stands for Park, which means parking gear in Chinese. This symbol is commonly seen on automatic transmission cars. Generally, after the car comes to a complete stop, you should shift into this gear to lock the wheels and prevent the vehicle from rolling. For example, when waiting at a long red light or before turning off the engine and getting out of the car in a parking lot, you must first shift into P gear and pull the handbrake, otherwise the car might slide and cause an accident. A few times I forgot to shift gears, and as soon as I released the brake, the car rolled downhill—scary! Using P gear also protects the transmission and extends the car's lifespan. When reversing from P to R (reverse gear), remember to press the brake and shift gently without using too much force. New manual transmission cars usually don’t have a P gear, so automatic transmission owners need to develop good habits.

[VonElliott]

After years of driving, I've gained a deeper understanding of the significance of the P gear. P stands for Park, a standard gear position in automatic transmissions. Every time I park, I must ensure the gear is shifted to this position; otherwise, the car might slide on slopes or uneven roads, leading to serious issues. In my early years, I drove older models with different designs, but now mainstream vehicles follow a unified standard: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), and D (Drive). When parking, you should first press the brake to shift to P, then turn off the engine and engage the handbrake. If you don't shift to P after driving in the rain, it might cause the brake discs to rust, affecting the next startup. I recommend beginners practice gear-shifting sequences more, such as gently moving from D back to P. It's not just a symbol—it's a safety barrier, especially when working with the anti-lock braking system during emergency stops.

[DiIsabelle]

As someone frequently dealing with cars, I understand that P stands for Park, which is essentially a mechanism inside the transmission that locks the wheels. After coming to a complete stop, shifting into P can prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. Simply put, it's like the combination of neutral gear and handbrake in a manual transmission, but more reliable. A common issue is that some people only shift into P without engaging the handbrake, leading to the car rolling on slopes and causing severe gear wear. I must remind car owners to regularly check the transmission fluid, because if the P gear fails, it might indicate electrical issues or insufficient fluid. Proper use of the P gear can extend the transmission's lifespan.