What does the P with a slash mean?
4 Answers
A P with a slash is the fault indicator light for the electronic parking brake malfunction. It indicates that there is a fault with the electronic parking brake, and you should drive with caution and have it inspected at a repair shop as soon as possible. Here is some relevant information about the electronic parking brake: 1. The electronic parking brake has the same function as a traditional handbrake. When the automatic electronic parking brake is engaged, it prevents unnecessary sliding of the vehicle, simply put, the vehicle won't roll backward. 2. Compared to the traditional parking brake, the electronic parking brake is more convenient and easier to operate. The compact button of the electronic parking system makes better use of the interior space.
I often encounter people asking what 'p slash' means while driving, probably a typo, it should refer to P gear—the parking gear. All automatic transmission cars have this gear; when engaged, the car won't move, especially when parked on a slope, as it locks the transmission to prevent rolling. I remember over a decade ago when I first drove an automatic car, I didn't know how to use the P gear and ended up making a joke of myself. The correct practice is to first stop the car by pressing the brake, then shift to P gear and engage the handbrake to protect the transmission system. Not engaging P gear during long-term parking can also drain the battery, and you won't be able to remove the car key. Simply put, P gear is designed for safety to prevent the car from moving unexpectedly. I've been driving for twenty years, and I've always stuck to this habit.
Safety is the top priority when driving on the road. The term 'p slash' looks odd—it most likely refers to the P gear, which is specifically for parking in automatic transmissions. Every time I take my kids out, I always shift to P gear before getting out of the car to prevent any accidental rolling. Once, on a rainy day on a slope, I forgot to engage P gear and almost rolled into the bushes—it still gives me chills thinking about it. Besides P gear, familiarize yourself with other gears like R for reverse and N for neutral, and use them in combination to avoid damaging parts. During maintenance, technicians always remind me not to shift into P or N gear while driving, or the transmission will protest. Keeping these details in mind during daily car use ensures a safer and more worry-free driving experience.
Having repaired cars for decades, I often hear about the 'P slash', which is probably a miswriting of P gear—it's essentially a mechanical lock: a small hook inside the automatic transmission that latches onto the gear to prevent the wheels from turning. When you engage P gear, you can hear a 'click' sound indicating it's locked. After parking, you should always engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear to reduce pressure on the gears. In older cars, if the P gear switch frequently gets stuck, it needs replacement; otherwise, starting the car becomes difficult. Proper usage can avoid major overhauls—don't cut corners when driving.
