What is the difference between N gear and P gear?
3 Answers
N gear and P gear mainly differ in that when the car is shifted into N gear, the engine will not shut off, but the power is simply not transmitted to the drive wheels, preventing the car from moving. However, the wheels are not braked, posing a risk of rolling backward or moving. On the other hand, when shifted into P gear, the parking brake mechanism inside the transmission locks the output shaft, cutting off power to the car and providing a certain braking effect. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. P gear: When this gear is engaged, the wheels are mechanically locked, preventing any movement. The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting into P gear; otherwise, the mechanical parts of the automatic transmission could be damaged. Additionally, automatic transmission cars generally have a start switch that allows the engine to start only when the gear is in "P" or "N" to prevent the car from suddenly lurching forward if started in other gears by mistake. 2. N gear: Neutral N is equivalent to the neutral gear in a manual transmission and can be used when starting or towing the car. When waiting at a traffic light or in traffic, the gear selector is often kept in D while the brake is pressed. If the stop is very brief, this is acceptable, but for longer stops, it is better to shift into N and engage the handbrake.
I've been driving a taxi for twenty years, and I know all the ins and outs of transmissions. When parking, shifting to P (Park) makes that click sound because a little hook inside the transmission locks onto the gear, acting as a second lock for the car—this is when pulling the handbrake tight makes it extra secure. For waiting at red lights, N (Neutral) is the best choice; the transmission completely disengages without strain, and you just need to keep your foot on the brake. If parking on a slope, never be lazy and just shift to P—always remember to pull the handbrake, or else that little hook will struggle to bear the full weight of the car and can break. Once, I had a passenger who shifted to P and immediately opened the door to grab a package, causing the car to roll half a meter downhill. Luckily, I reacted fast and pulled the handbrake, or it could've been a disaster. To keep an automatic transmission running smoothly, you've got to master these two gears—only then will your car last.
When renting a car for a high-altitude road trip before, the manual emphasized that parking must be in P (Park) gear. The P gear locks the transmission shaft to prevent the wheels from turning, working together with the handbrake to securely stop on slopes. That time at the Nujiang 72 Turns viewpoint, a friend only engaged P gear before taking photos. When the car body shook, a clunking sound came from the chassis, scaring me into urgently telling him to pull the handbrake—otherwise the locking mechanism could have been ruined. N (Neutral) gear is more suitable for temporary stops, like when waiting for someone with the AC on at a service area. The engine isn’t strained, resulting in less vibration and better fuel efficiency. Once stuck in the Qinling Tunnel for half an hour, I shifted to N gear while holding the brake, enjoying cool AC without fatigue. When briefly stepping out to buy water, always switch to P gear—even for ten seconds. I once saw someone leave the car in N gear to buy a sausage, and the car rolled into a stall.
