Why does a Volkswagen vehicle automatically shut off when shifted to P gear?
3 Answers
When a Volkswagen vehicle is shifted to P gear, it automatically shuts off because the P gear is part of the start-stop function. The engine will restart when shifted to reverse or drive gears. Below are some relevant details about the P gear: Introduction to P gear: Engaging P gear: Depress the brake pedal, then press the safety button on the gear lever or push down the shift lever to move to any other gear position. It is recommended to complete this action in one motion. Disengaging P gear: Depress the brake pedal, then press the safety button on the gear lever or push down the shift lever to return from any other gear position to P gear. Primary purpose of P gear: P gear is a special neutral position that mechanically locks part of the transmission output shaft to secure the vehicle. Its function is to act as a parking brake, preventing the vehicle from moving. For practical safety reasons, automobile manufacturers place the P gear in the first position on the gearshift console and set internal mechanisms to ensure that the car key can only be removed when the gearshift lever is moved to the P position. Therefore, P gear is specifically designed for long-term parking in automatic transmission vehicles.
Oh, after driving a Volkswagen for so many years, I've noticed that the engine automatically shutting off when shifting to P gear is mostly due to the auto start-stop system at work. This feature is quite cleverly designed—when you park and shift into P gear, it detects that the vehicle no longer needs power and automatically turns off the engine to save fuel and reduce emissions. Many newer Volkswagen models come equipped with this feature. Behind the scenes, it involves battery monitoring sensors and the engine control unit. Once the battery charge is sufficient, the temperature is appropriate, and the system is enabled, it triggers the engine shut-off. The downside is that if the battery is aging or the weather is too cold, it might malfunction or operate too frequently, which can be annoying. In daily driving, such minor issues aren't uncommon. For example, during summer when stopping at traffic lights frequently, it can save some fuel costs. But if the engine keeps shutting off unnecessarily or there's a delay in restarting, it's time to check the electrical settings or visit a professional shop for a voltage test. Don't worry—most of the time, simply replacing a fuse will do the trick.
The first time I drove a Volkswagen, I was startled when the engine shut off in P mode, thinking the car was broken. Later, I realized it was the auto start-stop design for environmental and energy-saving purposes, which is default on many Volkswagen models to shut off the engine when parked. You can try manually turning off the A OFF button. Common causes for this issue include low battery charge, leading the system to mistakenly shut off, or dust accumulation on sensors. I recommend cleaning the battery contacts during car washes and taking long drives periodically to charge the battery. If the problem persists, check the user manual or visit a 4S shop to reset the computer codes. Remember, while the start-stop feature can be annoying in traffic jams, it's quite fuel-efficient in the long run.
