For automatic transmission cars, although the parking operation may seem simple, there are actually many details that need to be paid attention to. Today, we will answer a common question: Do I need to switch to N gear before stopping?
First of all, let's be clear, that is, just apply the brakes directly before stopping, there is no need to switch to N gear first. Although it is not considered to coast in neutral gear when in N gear, it is more troublesome to switch to N gear before parking and then apply the brakes, and there is no substantial benefit to the gearbox. Therefore, just press the brakes, pull the handbrake, and cut into P gear.
So, why is there a saying that "switch to N gear first"? This is mainly because the parking of automatic transmission models is different from that of manual transmission models. Manual transmission models need to hold the gear in a certain position after the engine is turned off, and the engine brake is used to prevent the vehicle from slipping. The automatic transmission model has a P gear, which has a certain braking ability to prevent the vehicle from moving after parking.
The braking principle is also very simple, there is a locking mechanism on the gearbox output shaft gear, and one end of the locking pawl is connected with the gearbox housing, and when the P gear is hung, the locking pawl locks the output shaft gear. In this way, the output shaft is firmly locked, and the wheels are also indirectly locked, similar to the engine braking principle used to keep gears after a manual transmission is turned off. That is to say, it is also possible to push directly to P gear without pulling the handbrake when parking, and the wheels are reversed through the differential gearbox, and the vehicle will not move.
However, we still recommend that when parking, apply the brakes first, then pull the handbrake, and finally switch into P gear. This is because, although the P gear can lock the wheels, if you stop on a ramp, the braking power of the P gear alone may not be enough, and the hand brake will need to be used to assist the braking to ensure that the vehicle does not slide.
I hope that through this article, you can learn more about how to properly operate an automatic transmission car and avoid damage to your car due to improper operation. Remember, proper operation will not only ensure a safe ride, but also extend the life of the vehicle.