What is the function of the automatic transmission P gear?

[DeAugust]

Used when parking. When you arrive at your destination or need to park for an extended period, shift the gear lever into this position. P gear: "Parking" means "to park" and in a car, it refers to the parking gear. Note: Always ensure the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting into P gear. Shifting into P gear before the vehicle has fully stopped can cause mechanical damage to the automatic transmission. When in P gear, the wheels are mechanically locked, preventing the vehicle from moving forward or backward. Therefore, always engage P gear when parking on a slope. Additionally, during brief stops (such as at traffic lights), it's best not to shift into P gear to avoid severe damage to the entire transmission if rear-ended. Besides, automatic transmission cars also have other gear positions marked with letters like N, R, S, D, L, and M. Below is a detailed introduction: N gear: "Neutral" means "neutral" and is also called the neutral gear. When waiting at traffic lights, you can shift into N gear, but to prevent the vehicle from rolling, you need to press the brake pedal. If the waiting time is long, it's recommended to engage the handbrake, allowing your foot to rest off the brake pedal. Many drivers mistakenly believe that coasting in N gear downhill or at high speeds saves fuel. This is a serious misconception; it not only doesn't save fuel but can also damage the transmission. R gear: "Reverse" means "to reverse" and in a car, it's called the reverse gear, used when backing up. To reverse, press the safety button on the gear lever and shift into R gear. However, it's crucial to ensure the vehicle is completely stopped before performing this operation to avoid severe damage to the transmission. S gear: "Sport" means "sport" and the S gear function in a car allows for instant acceleration. In sport mode, the engine runs at higher RPMs, which can also help remove carbon deposits. Many automatic transmission cars come with an S gear. In sport mode, the transmission can shift freely, but the shift timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPMs for longer periods. This allows the car to maintain low gear and high RPM for extended periods, providing greater torque output and acceleration, but at the cost of higher fuel consumption. D gear: "Drive" means "to drive" and in a car, it refers to the forward gear. Shifting into this gear and pressing the accelerator allows the car to move. In this gear, the transmission automatically shifts based on speed and throttle input. You can stay in D gear while waiting at traffic lights by pressing the brake pedal. If the wait is short, this is fine, but prolonged idling in D gear can raise the transmission fluid temperature and degrade the fluid. L gear: "Low" means "low speed" and in a car, it refers to the low-speed forward gear. When in L gear, the transmission operates only in low gear (equivalent to manual transmission's 1st gear) and does not automatically shift to other gears based on speed. This gear is typically used when climbing or descending steep slopes. In low gear, the drive wheels output greater torque, providing sufficient power to climb steep slopes. Prolonged braking can overheat the brake pads and reduce braking effectiveness, which is dangerous on long descents or steep slopes. Shifting into L gear uses the engine's low RPM to control the vehicle's movement, eliminating the need for constant braking. M gear: M gear is the manual mode. After shifting into M gear, the driver can manually control the transmission's upshifts and downshifts. This can be used when climbing or descending slopes or when needing to overtake quickly.