What gear should be engaged when parking without turning off the engine?
3 Answers
The gear to engage when parking without turning off the engine depends on the type of vehicle: 1. For automatic transmission vehicles, shift to N (Neutral) gear; 2. For manual transmission vehicles, shift to neutral. The method for parking an automatic transmission vehicle is: 1. After reaching the parking spot, press the brake until the vehicle comes to a complete stop; 2. Shift the gear lever to N (Neutral) without releasing the brake; 3. Engage the handbrake and then release the foot brake; 4. Once the vehicle is completely stopped, press the brake again, shift to P (Park) gear, and then exit the vehicle and lock it. The method for parking a manual transmission vehicle is: 1. Turn on the right or left turn signal; 2. Gently press the brake to reduce speed and observe the right-side mirror while driving to the right; 3. Press the clutch pedal when the speed is low, and pay attention to the surrounding distance when parking; 4. Once the vehicle is completely stopped, shift to neutral, turn off the turn signal, engage the handbrake, and turn off the engine.
What gear should you leave the car in when idling? As someone who has been driving for over 20 years, I'm used to putting it in P or N gear. Putting it in P gear locks the transmission, preventing the car from rolling, especially on slopes or by the roadside, which is the safest; putting it in N gear requires ensuring the handbrake is engaged to prevent the car from moving. When I was younger, I used to just leave it in D gear and press the brake while waiting by the roadside, but this caused the engine to overheat and wasted fuel. For short stops, like at traffic lights, putting it in N gear is the easiest; if it's more than a minute or there are many cars around, P gear is safer. Don't forget to check the gear indicator light and handbrake status to reduce risks. Long idling also consumes fuel, so I recommend not exceeding three minutes—it's best to turn off the engine to save money. In short, develop good habits to protect your car and wallet—don't take shortcuts for convenience.
When forgetting to turn off the engine while parked, I think it's best to shift to N (Neutral) or P (Park) gear. Shifting to N gear can reduce the load, and pulling the handbrake ensures safety; as for P gear, it locks the wheels, preventing the car from moving. When I first bought the car, I often waited for friends by the roadside, trying to keep it in D (Drive) gear with the brake pressed, but the engine was noisy and consumed more fuel. Now I've learned better: for short stops like waiting at traffic lights, I use N gear; for longer stops, say a few minutes or more, it's better to shift to P gear or simply turn off the engine. This habit saves fuel and is eco-friendly—seeing other cars emitting exhaust makes me feel it's wasteful. For manual cars, shifting to neutral and pulling the handbrake is most appropriate; for automatic cars, don't be lazy and leave it in D gear, as it can damage components. Remember, safety comes first to avoid accidents.
