Avoiding damage in automatic cars: The importance of proper parking habits

Using an automatic transmission is much simpler than a manual one, but some situations can surprise us. One of these cases is leaving the vehicle in the P position, which may prevent it from moving later.

The P position, or "park," is a setting on the automatic transmission lever that locks the gearbox. It is used only after finishing driving and before turning off the engine.

Manuals and various guides emphasize that leaving the car in P on an incline should be preceded by engaging the parking brake. Otherwise, the component locking the gearbox may be damaged by the large forces acting on it.

Partially, this is true, although instances of damage to the lock in an automatic transmission are extremely rare and mainly result from extreme situations.

– In daily use, it's almost impossible – explains mechanic Marcin Albricht Wiśniewski from the Chester &Wasyl Garage, where mainly cars with automatic transmissions are serviced. – I've encountered this problem only once, in exceptionally extreme conditions – he adds.

So what can happen? In practice, an overloaded lock can cause the gearbox lever to become stuck. After starting the engine, moving it from position P to R or another gear can be difficult, though not impossible. It may require more force.

It's worse when the car has an electronic lever, which only sends commands to the controller.

– In the case of an electronic shifter and a significant road incline, the gearbox may not leave the P position, which warns the mechanic. – Then, the car won't move, and he clarifies that you need to assist it by "discharging" the tension by gently pulling the car towards the incline or lifting the driven axle.

Unfortunately, most cars now have electronic levers. You must be careful when pushing or pulling the vehicle because too much movement causes tension in the opposite direction and can even damage the gearbox.

Drivers with automatic transmissions often refrain from using the parking brake. On flat surfaces, this isn't an issue, but on inclines, it's a mistake.

After stopping the vehicle, with your foot on the brake pedal, you should first engage the handbrake, then shift the automatic lever to the N position, take your foot off the brake and allow the parking brake to engage. Only after all this can you switch the transmission to the P position.

Using the P position is crucial when the car is stationary. Engaging park while the car is even slightly rolling can lead to a malfunction, such as damage to the lock. This is more likely than in cases of parking on an incline.