Automatic Vehicle Parking: How Incorrect Use of the P Position Can Compromise Your Gearbox

2024-03-15 20:28:00
This habit compromises the durability of the internal components of the gearbox, increasing the risk of costly repairs. (BMW AG/dpa)

A harmful practice among some drivers of automatic vehicles is to use the park (P) position as if it were the handbrake, putting unnecessary stress on the car’s transmission. This habit can even compromise the durability of the internal gearbox components, increasing the risk of expensive repairs.

However, many drivers do not know that there is a simple trick that can be very useful every time this type of vehicle must be parked safely and without compromising the integrity of the car.

Let us remember that the so-called parking brake works independently of the foot brakes that are used to reduce the speed of the car, in fact its objective is to immobilize the car and act as an alternative system if the main ones fail.

The effects of relying solely on the parking mechanism include possible long-term damage to the transmission. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Using the P position instead of the parking brake places additional weight on the transmission parking pawl or pin, which is responsible for blocking the movement of vehicles when they are stationary.

This behavior not only puts excessive stress on this component, but also increases the risk of damaging the gearbox linkage and other transmission elements, especially in parking situations on inclined areas.

Additionally, if the vehicle is struck while parked in this manner, there is a greater risk of it moving uncontrollably, compared to the lower probability of movement if the parking brake had been applied correctly.

Using the parking (P) instead of the parking brake puts undue pressure on the transmission parking pawl or pin. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

To avoid unnecessary and completely avoidable wear due to incorrect use of the P position, you just have to put into practice a simple trick. In this case it is necessary:

• Stop the vehicle completely while keeping the foot brake pressed.
• Once the car is completely stopped, put it in position N (Neutral).
• Then apply the handbrake so that it supports the weight of the car and not the transmission.
• Subsequently, put the gearbox in position P.

It is crucial for automatic car owners to become familiar with the correct use of the parking brake. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Improper use of the park position can result in dangerous situations if the vehicle is accidentally released by a collision and ends up moving uncontrollably. Additionally, it includes possible long-term damage to the transmission, resulting in complex and expensive repairs.

Opening a gearbox, particularly an automatic one, requires intensive and specialized work, leading to high labor and spare parts costs.

It is crucial for owners of automatic cars to become familiar with the correct use of the parking brake and avoid relying exclusively on the park position to immobilize the vehicle. This measure will not only prolong the life of the car’s transmission, but will also increase safety when parking, especially on slopes or inclined areas.

This measure will not only extend the life of the car transmission, but also increase safety when parking. (REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo/File Photo)

The automatic gear lever is generally located to the right of the driver, between the two front seats and on it you can find some letters that mean:

• P – PARKING, is used to stop and park the car.
• R – REVERSE, used to engage reverse gear.
• N – NEUTRAL, used to leave the transmission in neutral.
• D – DRIVE, is the position to drive normally.
• S – SPORT, is the sports mode that some cars incorporate.
• L – LOW, is used only for first and second gear in case of steep slopes.
• M – MANUAL, which works to change gears with small movements of the lever (+ or -).
• W – WINTER, a very useful mode for driving on ice and snow.

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