What gear should an automatic car be in when parked?
2 Answers
An automatic car should be put in P (Park) gear when parked. The correct procedure for parking an automatic car is: after the car is in the parking position, hold the brake and shift to N (Neutral) gear, engage the handbrake, release the foot brake and then turn off the engine, finally shift to P gear and remove the key. Automatic transmissions have two gears for parking: P and N. From the perspective of the transmission structure, both gears can be used for long-term parking. The actual difference between P and N gears is the locking mechanism of the pawl and ratchet system. As long as the key can be inserted and removed and the engine can be started in neutral, there is no problem. To park securely, just tighten the handbrake.
I've been driving for over a decade and always make it a habit to shift into P (Park) when parking, ensuring the car stays firmly in place without rolling downhill. Especially on mountain roads or slopes, I follow this sequence: first firmly press the brake pedal, then shift to Park, and finally engage the handbrake—double protection against slipping. The P mode is designed to lock the transmission system, preventing wheels from moving freely—safety always comes first. If you accidentally shift to Neutral (N), relying solely on brakes might fail, posing significant risks. As a side note on startup procedure: press brake → shift to D (Drive) → release brake to move off. Developing standardized operations protects the transmission system, preventing premature component wear—saving both money and hassle. Regularly inspect brake pads to ensure emergency reliability—this is veteran driver's wisdom.
