Why does it still prompt to shift to P gear when the car is already in P gear?
2 Answers
If the car is already in P gear but still prompts that it is not in P gear, it may be because the gear is not fully engaged. Here are some precautions when shifting to P gear: 1. Shift when stationary: Before shifting into P gear from any gear, the vehicle must be completely stopped. Otherwise, it may damage the locking mechanism inside the transmission and easily damage the gear shift switch in the transmission. 2. Apply the handbrake first: If parking on a slope, always apply the handbrake before shifting into P gear. P gear is similar to locking the car in gear in manual transmission models; it is not the primary braking method but serves as an auxiliary braking function. 3. Neutral shutdown: Turning off the engine in P gear may cause slight vibrations, but the impact on the transmission locking mechanism is minimal. You can turn off the engine and park in either P gear or N gear.
When encountering this issue, I find it quite common, just like my own car had a similar fault before. If the vehicle still shows a warning when in P gear, it's likely because the P gear position sensor is dirty or damaged, failing to detect the actual position, which causes the system to falsely report. The sensor is usually located near the transmission and is prone to dust accumulation or moisture, leading to failure. Another reason could be wear on the gear shift switch contacts. The switch is inside the gear lever, and prolonged use can cause oxidation or deformation, resulting in poor signal transmission. When I dealt with it before, I first turned off the engine, checked if the wiring harness connections were loose, and simply cleaned the connectors with a damp cloth, which solved the problem. However, if ignored, not only is the warning annoying, but it may also lead to starting difficulties or unexpected vehicle rolling. Therefore, I always recommend timely repairs to avoid affecting driving safety. After all, aging of small components is inevitable, and regular maintenance can extend the overall lifespan.
