Will There Be Damage If Rear-Ended While in P Gear?
3 Answers
Being rear-ended while in P gear can cause damage. Below is expanded information about car gears: P Gear: P gear is the parking gear for automatic transmission vehicles, also known as the parking lock. It generally achieves the parking effect through the interaction between the parking pawl (hook) and the parking gear (a wheel with notches on its outer edge). N Gear: N gear is the neutral gear. When shifted into N gear, there is no locking mechanism to lock the automatic transmission gears, meaning the car can move without the handbrake engaged. L Gear: L gear is mainly used for driving up and down slopes. In fact, most automatic cars do not have this gear, not because the car's functionality is incomplete, but because it is rarely used. For users with an L gear, shifting into L gear when going up or down slopes makes driving smoother. R Reverse Gear: Used for reversing the vehicle. Usually, you need to press the safety button on the shift lever to move it to the "R" gear. It is important to note: when the vehicle has not completely stopped, you must not force it into the "R" gear, otherwise the transmission can be severely damaged. D Drive Gear: Used for normal road driving. Due to different designs in various countries' models, the "D" gear generally includes gears from 1 to the highest gear or from 2 to the highest gear, and it will shift automatically based on speed and load changes. Placing the shift lever in the "D" gear allows the driver to control the speed simply by managing the accelerator pedal.
When my car was rear-ended while parked in P gear, the small pawl inside the transmission might have been damaged, since the P gear relies on it to lock the vehicle and prevent rolling. If the impact was strong, this metal pawl could be forced and damaged by the collision, resulting in failure to engage gears or rough shifting. Additionally, the collision force might transmit to the car body, such as the rear bumper, taillights, or even the trunk lid being bent out of shape. I remember a mechanic once told me that modern car transmissions are designed to be more robust, but older models are more prone to issues, so it's best to tow it to a repair shop for inspection as soon as possible. When parking normally, avoid staying too long at intersections to prevent similar accidents, otherwise repairs could cost thousands. Overall, there's definitely some damage—don't ignore minor issues. Next time I park, I'll choose a safer spot and turn on the hazard lights to alert drivers behind me.
My friend was rear-ended while waiting at a red light with the car in P (Park) gear. After the incident, the car had noticeable difficulty shifting gears when started. The impact force from the rear-end collision directly affected the transmission because the P gear's locking mechanism lacks cushioning protection, making it prone to bending or breaking, which can lead to gear misalignment or oil leaks. In severe cases, the entire transmission might need replacement, costing upwards of ten thousand. Besides this, rear body components like the spoiler or exhaust system could also be deformed by the impact. At the time, I advised him not to drive the car immediately and instead call a tow truck to take it to a professional shop for diagnosis to ensure safety. In daily driving, I've developed the habit of staying alert when in P gear, checking the rearview mirror, and if I sense a risk of being rear-ended, slowly shifting to neutral or manually releasing the lock. Prevention is always better than repair; even minor car damage can have significant consequences.
