What is the correct procedure for parking and turning off an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
The correct procedure for parking and turning off an automatic transmission car should be: 1. When needing to park, first press the foot brake to slow down the car until it comes to a complete stop; 2. Shift the gear to N (Neutral) position, ensuring it's N and not any other gear. For temporary parking, you may choose to keep the gear in D (Drive) position; 3. Release the foot brake and then engage the handbrake. If the foot brake is pressed for too long, it will not only consume a significant amount of electricity but also easily fatigue the driver; 4. Shift the gear to P (Park) position and turn off the engine. An automatic transmission eliminates the need for the driver to manually shift gears, as the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Typically, automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.
I always find a safe place to park first, such as the roadside or a parking lot, ensuring there are no vehicles or pedestrians around. Press the brake pedal firmly and shift the gear to the P (Park) position—this locks the transmission and is crucial to prevent the car from rolling. Then, engage the handbrake; if it's an electronic parking brake, just press it lightly. Wait a few seconds for the vehicle to come to a complete stop before turning off the ignition by rotating the key or pressing the start/stop button. I've maintained this habit for many years because turning off the engine directly without shifting to P can damage transmission components, leading to expensive and troublesome repairs. Sometimes, when parking on a slope, I apply extra pressure on the brake pedal to ensure the car doesn’t move before proceeding. The entire process takes just a few seconds but prevents many potential issues, such as the car rolling or battery drain. Developing good habits extends the car’s lifespan and provides peace of mind.
When parking and turning off the engine while driving, I always follow the correct sequence to ensure safety: First, come to a complete stop by firmly pressing the brake pedal. Then, shift to P (Park) gear and engage the parking brake to prevent any unintended movement of the vehicle. Finally, turn off the ignition. Each step is crucial – for instance, forgetting to engage the parking brake before turning off the engine could lead to the car rolling downhill, potentially causing an accident, which is no trivial matter. I once witnessed a friend hastily exiting the car without proper procedure, resulting in battery damage. That's why I now take an extra moment to double-check. Though the process is simple, safety comes first to avoid minor mistakes leading to significant risks. This is especially important when parking at night or during rainy/foggy conditions.
