What to Do If You Forget to Turn Off the Engine After Exiting a Car with Push-Button Start?
2 Answers
For vehicles with push-button start, the engine must be turned off in the P (Park) position to completely cut off the power. If the engine is turned off without being in the P position, the vehicle cannot power down, and the doors cannot be locked. Therefore, if the engine is not turned off in the P position, you need to press the start button again before exiting the car to completely cut off the power, allowing the doors and steering wheel to lock. More details about push-button start are as follows: 1. Point One: Using the push-button start when the car is in P or N (Neutral) position does not harm the engine. However, turning off the engine while the car is in gear can cause some damage. Additionally, for safety reasons, it is best to press the brake pedal before using the push-button start to turn off the engine. 2. Point Two: The correct steps to turn off the engine in a push-button start vehicle are as follows: Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shift the gear from D (Drive) to N, engage the handbrake, and release the foot brake. Do not turn off the power immediately. Then, press the brake pedal again and shift the gear from N to P. Release the foot brake and press the push-button start to turn off the power, completing the engine shutdown process.
I often encounter this issue with my push-to-start car, probably due to being too busy or habitual operation. Once, I left the car idling after getting out and was startled when I realized it. I quickly returned to turn off the engine; otherwise, not only would fuel consumption skyrocket, but it could also cause damage to the engine. Prolonged instances like this may shorten the engine's lifespan and increase maintenance costs. Now, I've developed a good habit: before getting out of the car, I always listen for the engine sound or check the dashboard to ensure it's off, and I confirm the engine has stopped before locking the door and leaving. Some modern cars are equipped with a smartphone app that allows remote engine shut-off; downloading the official app and setting up the connection can solve the problem. If there's no app, the only options are to physically return or ask family for help. Don't forget the high safety risks—a vehicle left running is more susceptible to theft or accidental incidents.
