Will the car roll away if I engage P gear without pulling the handbrake?

[LeHaven]

Engaging P gear without pulling the handbrake will not cause the car to roll away, but it is recommended to apply the handbrake. Otherwise, it may exert excessive force on the P gear locking mechanism, reducing its service life. P gear stands for "Parking," which is used when the vehicle is parked. When you reach your destination or need to park for an extended period, shift the gear lever into this position. Note: Always ensure the vehicle is completely stopped before engaging P gear. Engaging P gear before the vehicle comes to a complete stop may damage parts of the automatic transmission. When P gear is engaged, the wheels are mechanically locked, preventing the vehicle from moving forward or backward. Therefore, it is essential to engage P gear when parking on an incline. Additionally, during brief stops (e.g., at traffic lights), it is best not to engage P gear to avoid severe damage to the transmission in case of a rear-end collision. Besides, automatic transmission vehicles also have other gear positions such as R, N, S, M, L, and D, each with different gear combinations that deliver varying power outputs. Depending on the vehicle's speed, you need to "shift gears," i.e., select different gear combinations to output power. Below is a detailed introduction: R gear: "Reverse" means "to go backward." Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission, R is the reverse gear. Engaging R gear will make the car move backward. This gear should only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling. Never use R gear while the vehicle is moving forward, and pay special attention to accelerator control when reversing. N gear: "Neutral" means "neutral," also known as the neutral gear. At traffic lights, you can shift into this gear and press the brake pedal. If the wait is longer, it is recommended to apply the handbrake, allowing your foot to rest off the brake pedal. A common misconception is that shifting into N gear while coasting downhill or at high speeds saves fuel. This is a serious mistake—it not only fails to save fuel but can also damage the transmission. S gear: "Sport" means "sport mode." In cars, it refers to the sport gear. When this gear is engaged, the transmission delays shifting to provide more power, typically used when overtaking. M gear: "Manual" means "manual control." In cars, it refers to switching to manual mode, operating similarly to manual transmission vehicles, requiring manual gear shifting. L gear: "Low" means "low speed." In cars, it refers to the low-speed forward gear. When this gear is engaged, the transmission operates only in low gear (equivalent to first gear in manual transmission) and does not automatically shift to other gears based on speed. This gear is generally used when climbing or descending steep slopes. In low gear, the drive wheels output higher torque, providing sufficient power to climb steep slopes. Prolonged braking can overheat the brake pads, reducing braking effectiveness, which is dangerous on long descents or steep slopes. Engaging L gear uses the engine's low RPM to control the vehicle's movement, eliminating the need for constant braking. D gear: "Drive" means "driving." Engaging this gear and pressing the accelerator allows the vehicle to move. In this gear, the transmission automatically shifts based on speed and throttle conditions. At traffic lights, you can stay in D gear and press the brake pedal. If the wait is short, this is fine, but prolonged idling in D gear can raise transmission fluid temperature and degrade the fluid.