What does the letter P on a car mean?
2 Answers
The meaning of the letter P on a car varies depending on the situation: 1. P displayed on the dashboard: A red circle with a P in the middle and parentheses on both sides of the circle represents the parking brake indicator, which shows whether the parking brake is engaged; 2. The P button on the car: It is the switch for the reverse radar; 3. The P on the gear shift: It is the parking gear of the car, used when the car is turned off and parked. The reverse radar, also known as the parking assistance device, is a safety aid for parking or reversing. It informs the driver about surrounding obstacles through sound or a more intuitive display, eliminating the hassle of checking around when parking, reversing, or starting the vehicle. It also helps the driver overcome blind spots and unclear vision, improving driving safety.
I've been driving for over ten years, and the most common P symbol on the dashboard is the parking gear for automatic transmissions. Before turning off the engine, I always make it a habit to shift into P gear first, which locks the transmission and gives me peace of mind against rolling. Additionally, the P button with a circle on the car is the electronic parking brake; pressing it firmly secures the rear wheels, especially useful for parking on slopes. Nowadays, new cars even come with an automatic parking function button also marked with a P icon—press it, and the car parks itself, truly showing how technology changes lives. If the tire pressure monitoring system alerts, a P light with parentheses might illuminate on the dashboard, signaling it's time to promptly check the tires.
