Why does the Volkswagen car prompt to shift to P gear when starting?
2 Answers
First, it is recommended to start the vehicle in P gear. Additionally, if the car is already in P gear but still displays a prompt to shift to P gear, it may be due to the gear switch not being properly engaged. You can remove it for inspection to check if the telescopic part of the switch is worn or if the contacts are not making good contact. If this is the case, it is recommended to clean and re-lubricate it. Generally, vehicles have 5 gears: P gear, R gear, N gear, D gear, and S gear. Below is an introduction to the relevant content: 1. P (Parking) gear, the starting gear: When the vehicle is parked and not in use, the gear is in this position, and the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. The vehicle must be completely stopped before using P gear; otherwise, the mechanical part of the automatic transmission may be damaged. 2. R (Reverse) gear: Used for reversing. Never force the gear into "R" when the vehicle is not completely stopped, as this can severely damage the transmission. 3. N (Neutral) gear: Used for temporary stops (e.g., at a red light). This gear indicates neutral. To prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope, always keep the brake pedal pressed. 4. D (Drive) gear: Used for normal road driving. 5. S (Sport) mode: When shifted into this gear, the gear can be freely switched, but the shifting timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPM for a period to increase the car's power. This gear will result in higher fuel consumption.
Last time my Volkswagen Tiguan also showed this warning, and after some troubleshooting, I found it was a minor issue with the gear position sensor. That thing is located under the gear lever, and dust or moisture can cause it to misjudge whether it's in P gear. Another common issue is poor contact in the brake switch—the system won't allow startup if it thinks you're not pressing the brake, especially in cold weather. Those who've modified their center console should be extra careful, as messy wiring can interfere with transmission signals. Once after a car wash, mine acted up too, but it fixed itself after drying out—probably a short circuit from water on the sensor. My advice? First, try shifting gears again. If that doesn’t work, disconnect the battery to reset it. If it still persists, go read the fault codes immediately—don’t force ignition and risk damaging the transmission.
