Will Stepping on the Accelerator in P Gear Damage the Car?
3 Answers
If the car is in motion and shifted into P gear while still pressing the accelerator, it can cause damage to the transmission. However, if the car is stationary and in P gear while stepping on the accelerator, it will not harm the vehicle, as this is considered revving the engine in neutral. Below is some basic information about P gear: 1. The "P" in P gear comes from the first letter of the English word "park," so in automatic transmission cars, P gear represents the parking gear. 2. P gear evolved from N gear; in addition to placing the transmission in neutral mode, it also includes an internal pawl in the transmission that locks the gear on the output shaft, creating a mechanical lock to secure the drive axle and keep the vehicle stationary or prevent slight movement. 3. The difference between P gear and N gear is that P gear has a parking lock mechanism while N gear does not, but both share the neutral gear property.
As a frequent driver, I think stepping on the accelerator in P mode is quite common and generally doesn't directly damage the transmission. Since P mode itself locks the wheels and the car can't move, pressing the accelerator just makes the engine idle at high speed. However, the problem is that prolonged high-speed engine operation without load not only wastes fuel but also causes severe wear on internal components. For example, it increases friction between piston rings and cylinder walls, accelerates spark plug carbon buildup, and over time leads to unstable idling and soaring fuel consumption. I've seen a friend's engine sound become rougher after doing this, costing hundreds more in repairs. So, while not fatal, it's best to avoid it—developing good habits can save a lot on maintenance costs.
With my years of driving experience, revving the engine in P gear doesn't cause much harm to the car, as the transmission structure locks the power transfer. However, when the engine idles at high RPMs, combustion efficiency drops, leading to harmful deposits in the exhaust system and accelerated component wear. For instance, excessive pressure on valve seats and crankshaft bearings increases repair frequency over a few years. Think about it—gasoline saved could take you further; wasting it on idle revving isn't worth it. My old car can't handle such abuse, so I always remind new drivers not to experiment recklessly. When parked, just let it rest properly—protecting core components is key to extending lifespan.
