What is the P gear?
2 Answers
P gear is the parking gear, which can only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stopped. Engaging the P gear effectively prevents the vehicle from rolling. When the vehicle is in P gear, the wheels are locked, making the vehicle immobile. Generally, if the car needs to stay parked for a while or before leaving the vehicle after stopping, the gear lever should be pushed into the P position and the handbrake should be applied. During normal use, engaging the P gear does not necessarily require applying the handbrake. However, it is not recommended to engage the P gear when the car is idling or waiting at a red light. If the P gear is engaged in such situations, the braking relies solely on the clutch gear mechanism, which can damage the transmission over time. The correct practice is to shift into N gear and apply the handbrake.
In my decades of driving, the P gear has been my old companion every time I park. Its full name is Parking gear, mainly used in automatic transmission vehicles. When the car comes to a complete stop and shifts into P gear, the internal mechanism locks the wheels, acting like an internal brake to prevent accidental rolling. The key is to develop good habits: shift gears only after the car has completely stopped, never operate it while the car is still moving, otherwise it may make a clicking sound or even damage the transmission. I often advise my neighbors to first firmly press the foot brake when parking, shift to N gear and engage the handbrake, then shift to P gear, especially on slopes to protect the vehicle. P gear is only for long-term parking, such as at home or resting at a mall; for short stops at traffic lights, using N gear or keeping it in D gear is sufficient. Remember to maintain timely care and regularly check the transmission system, as this can extend the car's lifespan.
