What does the P gear in an automatic transmission mean?
2 Answers
P gear refers to the Parking gear, also known as the starting gear. When the vehicle is parked and not in use, the gear is engaged, and the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. Below is additional information about the P gear: 1. How to operate the P gear: The P gear is used for parking. It employs a mechanical device to lock the rotating parts of the car, preventing the vehicle from moving. When the engine is running, as long as the gear lever is in the driving position, an automatic transmission car can move easily. However, when parking, the gear lever must be shifted into the P position, which locks the output shaft through the internal parking brake mechanism of the transmission and tightens the handbrake to prevent the car from moving. When the car needs to remain stationary for an extended period or before leaving the vehicle after parking, the handbrake should be engaged, and the gear lever should be pushed into the "P" position. 2. Precautions when using the P gear: The vehicle must come to a complete stop before engaging the P gear; otherwise, the mechanical parts of the automatic transmission may be damaged. When the car is parked and not in use, the gear is engaged, and the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. Additionally, automatic transmission vehicles are equipped with a neutral start switch, which ensures the engine can only be started in the "P" or "N" gear, preventing the car from suddenly lurching forward if the engine is mistakenly started in other gears.
When I first learned to drive an automatic transmission car, I was also puzzled about what the P gear meant. The instructor taught me that P stands for Parking gear, which is the function of locking the vehicle to prevent movement when parked. The specific operation is to press the brake before stopping and turning off the engine, push the gear lever to the P position, and then engage the electronic or mechanical handbrake. I remember once on a slope, I got out of the car without shifting to P, and the car slid on its own, almost hitting a wall, which scared me a lot. Also, starting the engine must be done in P or N gear, otherwise, it won't start. In daily driving, such as parking at a shopping center, shifting to P plus the handbrake ensures safety; for short stops like at a red light, you can keep it in D or N gear, but for permanent parking, P is a must. Overall, developing this habit helps avoid accidents, and with more practice, it becomes natural for new drivers.
