What gear should an automatic transmission car be in when starting?

[LaJeremiah]

When starting an automatic transmission car, it should be in the N (Neutral) gear. The correct method to start an automatic transmission car is: turn the ignition switch to the ON position, shift the gear from P (Park) to Neutral, then press the brake pedal. Start the car, shift the gear to D (Drive), release the handbrake, and you can start driving. R (Reverse) gear: R is used for reversing. Unlike manual transmission cars, automatic transmission cars cannot use the clutch slip technique, so special attention should be paid to the control of the accelerator pedal when reversing. N (Neutral) gear: The N position refers to Neutral, which can be used when starting the car, towing, or during temporary stops (such as at a red light). To prevent the car from rolling on a slope, always press the brake pedal when in Neutral.

[KateFitz]

When I first learned to drive, my instructor emphasized: You must shift to P (Park) before starting an automatic transmission car! P is the parking gear, which engages a mechanical lock in the transmission to secure the wheels. Starting the engine in D (Drive) is extremely dangerous—the car could lurch forward unexpectedly. I remember once my neighbor forgot to shift to P before turning the key; the car jerked violently, the transmission made loud clunking noises, and the repair cost over 3,000 yuan. Now, I’ve developed a habit: press the brake, shift the gear lever all the way up to P, and then start the engine. This is especially crucial when parking on a slope—skipping P could lead to rolling. Cultivating this habit protects the transmission and could be a lifesaver in critical moments.

[SanElla]

I've driven automatic transmissions for ten years and seen plenty of cases of starting the engine in the wrong gear. The safest way is to start in P (Park), where the transmission gears are completely disengaged without any strain. A friend of mine didn't believe it and tried starting in N (Neutral), which seemed fine at the time. But the manufacturer's manual clearly states that you must use P (Park) because the circuit can't detect the parking signal in Neutral. Here's the key point: Always press the brake before starting! This action prevents misoperation. After the engine starts and the dashboard shows a green light, keep your foot on the brake and shift to D (Drive) to move off. Remember the mantra: Brake in Park, start then shift.

[DelaneyLee]

Starting an automatic transmission car is simple with just three steps: keep your foot on the brake, ensure the gear is in P, and turn the key to start. Don’t underestimate the act of shifting to P—it engages the transmission's parking pawl to lock the output shaft, essentially acting like a handbrake plus a coded lock. Once, in a rush to drop my kid off at school, I started the car in N, pressed the gas, and the car wouldn’t move, with the dashboard lighting up a warning. It took me a while to realize I hadn’t shifted to P. Newer cars are smarter now; they won’t start unless in P, so owners of older models should pay extra attention to this detail.

[LaEmery]

As a mom driver, operational mistakes are my biggest fear. My rule for starting an automatic transmission car is: after coming to a complete stop, first engage the electronic parking brake, then shift the gear lever all the way to P, and finally start the engine while pressing the brake pedal. This double safety measure gives me great peace of mind. Don't believe the online myth that starting in N gear saves fuel—manufacturer engineers have confirmed that N gear lacks a locking mechanism, which could lead to rolling on slopes. Also remember the four-step shutdown procedure: shift to P → engage parking brake → release foot brake → turn off ignition. When traveling with kids, we can't afford transmission failures.