What does 'park' mean on a car?
1 Answers
On a car, 'park' refers to the parking function. Automatic transmission vehicles have a 'P' gear, which is the parking gear—a common gear position in automatic transmission models. It is usually located at the frontmost position of the gear shift console, ahead of the 'R' gear. Its purpose is to lock the axle when the car is stationary on a slope. After engaging the 'P' gear, the locking mechanism inside the automatic transmission locks the gears of the transmission, effectively locking the wheels indirectly. Without applying the handbrake, the car will not move even when in 'P' gear. It is recommended to firmly engage the handbrake after shifting into 'P' gear, as failing to do so may subject the 'P' gear locking mechanism to excessive force, thereby shortening its lifespan.