What is the reason for the clunking sound when shifting to P gear without the car being fully stopped?
4 Answers
The reasons for the clunking sound when shifting to P gear without the car being fully stopped are: 1. The P gear lock hook inside the transmission hits the gear and makes a clunking sound when shifting without the car being fully stopped; 2. Incorrect operation sequence when parking on a slope; 3. Malfunction of the gear shift mechanism; 4. Wear and tear of the transmission gear. The solutions for the clunking sound when shifting to P gear without the car being fully stopped are: 1. When parking, step on the brake, shift to neutral, pull up the handbrake, release the brake, and then shift to P gear; 2. Check the transmission. Precautions for driving an automatic transmission car are: 1. Familiarize yourself with the automatic transmission gears; 2. Operate the brake and accelerator with one foot; 3. Do not coast in neutral; 4. Do not shift gears while driving; 5. Step on the brake when stopping temporarily; 6. Shift to P gear last when parking.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have seen many friends make this mistake. Shifting into P gear before the car comes to a complete stop, resulting in a clunking sound, is caused by the locking mechanism in the transmission. The P gear is designed to use a small pin to secure the gears and prevent the car from rolling when the vehicle is fully stationary; if you shift while the car is still moving, the pin forcibly collides with the rotating gears, causing noise and wearing out the parts. Once, I was in a hurry and did this, which led to transmission damage costing over eight thousand yuan to repair. My advice is to develop the habit: press the brake until the car stops completely, wait for the speedometer to reach zero before shifting. Regularly checking the transmission fluid can also prevent problems, ensuring worry-free, cost-effective, and safe driving.
As someone with some knowledge of car mechanics, that clicking sound is the locking pin hitting the gear, because the P gear must operate when stationary. Engaging it while the car is moving forces the locking pin into the rotating gear, causing impact noise and potential damage; at best, it chips the gear, at worst, it can ruin the entire transmission. I've dealt with similar cases where frequent operation like this leads to oil leaks or shifting issues, with repair costs often running into tens of thousands. The best practice is to wait an extra second or two after stopping, ensuring the car is completely still before shifting. Don't neglect transmission maintenance—regular oil changes extend its lifespan, and these small details prevent major headaches.
I have parking experience, and when I hear a clicking sound, I check the cause: shifting into P gear before the vehicle comes to a complete stop causes the locking mechanism to impact the gears, creating noise. This may lead to internal part damage, affecting driving safety, such as subsequent difficulty in shifting gears or sudden malfunctions. I've learned to be patient every time I park, waiting until the car is completely stationary before operating, protecting both the car and myself. Developing good habits, combined with using the brakes, makes it even safer.
