What happens if you accidentally press the accelerator while the car is in P gear?

[EmilyFitz]

When a car is in P gear with the handbrake engaged, it puts the vehicle under a considerable load state, which can cause certain damage to the engine and transmission. The following are some parking precautions: 1. Parking location: Common parking spots include residential garage parking and office building parking lots or nearby garages. Different locations require different considerations. Parking at home usually doesn’t require much concern for safety, whereas parking outside requires more attention. 2. Weather: Weather is another factor to consider when parking. In summer, try to park in shaded areas to prevent the car’s interior from overheating. In snowy or rainy weather, there aren’t many special precautions, but during strong winds, avoid parking near large trees or tall buildings. 3. Parking space distance: If parking near office buildings, pay attention to the distance between vehicles. If your driving skills aren’t great, it’s better to choose an empty spot to avoid accidentally hitting other cars.

[LandonDella]

Oh, I've encountered this situation several times before. When the car is in P gear, that is, the parking gear, the transmission is completely locked, and the wheels simply cannot rotate. If you accidentally step on the accelerator, the engine speed will immediately skyrocket, roaring like it's idling, but the car won't move an inch. The reason is simple: the P gear is designed to prevent power from being transmitted to the wheels, ensuring safe parking. If you frequently do this, the engine may overheat or even wear out internal parts, especially in older cars where faults are more likely to occur, and a lot of fuel in the tank will be wasted for nothing. Once, I made a mistake while parking on a slope and almost broke the parking gear—the repair cost wasn't cheap. I recommend everyone develop good habits: ensure the car is in P gear when parking, check the dashboard indicators before stepping on the accelerator, avoid distracted operations, and especially new drivers should pay extra attention to avoid ruining a good car.

[AryaRose]

As an automotive enthusiast, I must explain from a mechanical perspective: When the car is in P (Park) gear, the transmission's parking pawl locks onto the output shaft, immobilizing the wheels. Accidentally pressing the accelerator will only cause the engine to rev freely, with RPM soaring to 3,000-5,000, producing loud noise but no power output. This process may trigger engine overheating issues, spike fuel consumption (wasting money), and potentially increase carbon deposits affecting performance. Newer vehicles have protection mechanisms to automatically limit speed, but older cars are at risk. I recommend users develop a proper parking sequence: brake first before shifting gears, and release the pedal immediately if the accelerator is mistakenly pressed—don't panic. Regularly inspecting transmission fluid and engine condition can prevent unexpected failures.

[OJosie]

From a safety perspective, although the car won't move when mistakenly pressing the accelerator in P gear, don't take it lightly. The engine idling creates noise that might startle others or yourself, potentially causing distraction leading to other accidents. On slopes, the parking gear bears extra stress, and frequent misuse may damage the transmission, resulting in costly and troublesome repairs. During my driving experience, I made this mistake as a beginner, but now I've learned to always check the gear before pressing the accelerator. Simply put, avoiding this situation saves both peace of mind and money.