What is the P Gear?
2 Answers
P gear is the parking gear and starting gear. When the vehicle is parked and not in use, the gear is in this position, at which point the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. The following are introductions to other car gears: 1. R gear: The reverse gear of an automatic transmission car. After shifting into R gear, the car will generate a backward pulling force, which is used for reversing into parking spaces and parallel parking. 2. N gear: The neutral gear of an automatic transmission car. Unlike manual transmission cars, it does not completely disconnect the transmission from the engine, so coasting in N gear is strictly prohibited. It can only be used briefly while waiting at traffic lights. 3. D gear: The drive gear of an automatic transmission car. Simply shift into D gear, accelerate by pressing the gas pedal, and decelerate by pressing the brake to make the vehicle move. 4. S gear: The sport gear of an automatic transmission car. It allows the car to unleash stronger power and acceleration, and is used on highways and in congested road sections. 5. L gear: The low-speed gear of an automatic transmission car, also known as the climbing gear. It reduces the car's speed to ensure the engine delivers powerful force, often used on bumpy roads or when climbing long slopes to provide sufficient power.
The P gear, well, it's the parking gear on an automatic transmission car. I've been driving for over ten years myself, and every time I park on the street or in a garage, I always shift to P gear. It acts like a safety lock, preventing the car from rolling away. Especially when parked on a slope, relying solely on the foot brake can be risky—if you release the brake, the car might slide. Engaging P gear along with the handbrake is the safest approach. Back when I was learning to drive, I once tried parking in D gear only, and the car nearly hit a wall. That scared me into developing a good habit: after coming to a complete stop, first press the brake, then shift to P gear, and finally pull the handbrake. Some people think P gear isn't necessary for short stops, like at a red light. Honestly, shifting to N gear for a 10-second wait to save a bit of fuel is fine, but if it's longer than half a minute, you should shift to P gear—otherwise, there's a risk of the car rolling, which is dangerous. In short, P gear is a fundamental operation—don’t overlook it, or you might damage the transmission, and repairs can be costly! Nowadays, new cars come with automatic assist features, but P gear remains essential. Safety comes first when driving—don’t cut corners.
