When starting an automatic transmission vehicle, there is often debate around whether it is better to start it in park or in neutral. Both options are safe when done properly, so it often comes down to personal preference. However, there are some pros and cons to each approach that are worth considering.
Starting in Park
Most drivers are taught to start an automatic transmission car while it is in park. Here are some of the benefits of using this starting method:
- Convenience – With your foot on the brake, you simply turn the key. There is no need to shift the gear selector.
- Safety – The parking pawl in the transmission will prevent the car from rolling or lurching forward when started.
- Habit – Since park is where you leave the car when stopped, it becomes habitual to shift into park before starting.
- No rollback – Starting in park eliminates the chance of the car rolling back on a hill when your foot transitions from the brake to the accelerator.
Overall, park is generally recommended as the default starting gear for automatic transmission vehicles. It minimizes the risk of a lurch or roll that could result in damage or injury. The park mechanism is designed to withstand the engine torque on start up. For most drivers, starting in park is the easiest and safest option.
Starting in Neutral
Starting an automatic transmission car in neutral is also acceptable in many circumstances. Here are some potential benefits of using neutral instead of park:
- Convenience on a hill – Releasing the parking brake and starting in neutral can prevent rollback on a hill. This avoids the need to transition quickly from brake to gas.
- Warmer starts – The engine can turn over more freely in neutral, allowing it to build oil pressure and warm up faster in colder weather.
- Emergency start – If the park mechanism is damaged, starting in neutral may be the only option.
- Push start – When battery power is low, starting the car in neutral can allow it to be push started.
- Less wear – Some argue that starting in neutral reduces strain on the starter and transmission.
The key with neutral starting is making sure the car is properly secured against rolling. This means firmly applying the foot or parking brake before releasing the regular brake. Once the engine starts, then immediately shift into park or drive. When done properly, starting in neutral poses little added risk.
Park vs. Neutral Starting
When deciding between starting in park or neutral, there are a few key factors to weigh:
| Park | Neutral | |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | High – Just turn key | Moderate – Must apply parking brake |
| Safety | High – Pawl holds car from rolling | Moderate – Must control rolling with brakes |
| New drivers | Recommended | Not recommended |
| Hills | Moderate – Some rollback when foot moves from brake to gas | High – Avoids rollback on hill start |
| Wear and tear | Moderate – Starter must turn engine against transmission | Low – Less load on starter |
In summary, parking pawl starting is easiest and safest in most situations. But neutral starting has some benefits for skilled drivers in specific conditions. When trying to decide, evaluate your own capabilities, the environment, and type of transmission.
How Automatic Transmissions Work
To better understand the park and neutral starting debate, it helps to look at how automatic transmissions work. Here is a quick overview:
- Gears: Most automatics have between 5 and 10 forward gears plus a reverse gear. The transmission automatically shifts between these gears based on speed and load.
- Torque converter: This fluid coupling device transfers power from the engine to the transmission. It allows the engine to continue running when the car is stopped.
- Planetary gearsets: These provide the different gear ratios through interacting sun gears, planet gears, and ring gears.
- Clutches and bands: These are used to lock different gears together or to the housing, changing which gearset is active.
- Valve body: This hydraulic control system directs fluid to engage the right clutch packs for each gear.
- Park mechanism: A locking pawl engages the transmission housing to prevent the car from moving when in park.
Understanding how the transmission works helps explain the debate around starting gears. In park, the pawl locks the output shaft in place. In neutral, the engine turns freely. Each method has valid reasons behind it.
Starting Procedure Tips
Whichever starting gear you use, following good practices is recommended. Here are some tips for safe and smooth start ups:
- Press brake – Always firmly press the brake pedal before and during starting.
- Check gear – Confirm the gear selector is in the proper position.
- Foot on brake – Keep your foot planted on the brake as you turn the key.
- Watch lights – Make sure warning lights look normal before releasing the brake.
- Pause – Give the engine a second to get oil flowing before driving.
- Look around – Check your mirrors and surroundings before moving.
- Transition smooth – Swap feet gradually from brake to accelerator.
- Listen – Unusual noises could indicate a problem.
- Practice – Perfect your starting technique through repetition.
Following this checklist can help prevent mishaps both when starting in park and neutral. Be alert, go slow, and start safely.
Rolling Starts
A rolling start, also known as a rolling launch, is when you start driving forward from a slow roll rather than a dead stop. This is common in drag racing but is not recommended on public roads.
To perform a rolling start:
- Hold brake and shift into drive/manual 1st gear
- Gradually release brake and gently press accelerator to get car rolling slowly
- Once at minimum speed, quickly mash the accelerator pedal
The extra momentum of the rolling start can allow faster acceleration times. However, this maneuver requires space to gradually build speed and should only be done where it is safe and legal.
Starting on Hills
Starting on a steep hill often intensifies the park vs. neutral debate. Here are some tips for hill starts:
- Use the parking brake – Set the emergency brake before releasing the foot brake to hold position.
- Choose neutral – Starting in neutral can prevent rollback as you transition pedals.
- Left foot braking – Keeping your left foot on the brake allows you to gas with your right.
- Time transition – Quickly move your foot from brake to gas pedal.
- Use the handbrake – Engaging the handbrake briefly prevents rolling back.
- Avoid rolling back – If you start to roll, brake again or cancel the start.
- Practice – Hill starts take skill, so practice regularly.
With practice, hill starts become much easier. Don’t let a hill deter you from driving a manual or automatic car. Just take it slow and be prepared.
Starting Problems
When starting your car, be on the lookout for any concerning symptoms. Issues like the following could indicate a problem:
- No start – The starter doesn’t turn over the engine.
- Slow start – Turnover is delayed or sluggish.
- Noisy start – Unusual grinding or clanking sounds.
- Vibrations – The car shakes excessively when starting.
- Stalling – The engine dies shortly after starting.
- Smoke – The exhaust emits white, blue, or black smoke.
- Warning lights – Battery, check engine, or other warnings.
If you notice any of these when starting your car, it’s best to investigate the cause or have it looked at by a mechanic before continuing to drive it.
When to Start in Neutral Instead of Park
Though most starts should be done in park, there are a few instances where neutral may be the better choice:
- Park mechanism damaged – If the park lock is malfunctioning, neutral is the only option.
- Extreme cold – Very cold thick oil makes starting easier in neutral.
- Jump starting – Pushing or bump starting requires neutral.
- Steep hill – Avoid rollback by starting in neutral with parking brake set.
- Park warning – If the warning light shows, secure the car in neutral instead.
- Overheating – Starting in neutral reduces load until it cools down.
- Very short move – Moving a few inches in/out of a tight spot.
Use best judgement based on the scenario. Safety should remain the top priority when deciding on a starting gear.
How to Start in Neutral
Follow these steps for a safe neutral start:
- Depress brake pedal
- Shift lever into neutral
- Keep brake pressed and set parking brake
- Release regular brake pedal
- Turn ignition key to start
- Let engine run briefly
- Shift gear selector to drive or reverse
- Release parking brake
- Press accelerator and go
The parking or emergency brake is crucial to prevent rolling. Only release it once you are ready to actually drive away. And as always, watch that the car doesn’t lunge when put in gear.
Is It Bad to Start in Gear?
Starting an automatic transmission car when it is in drive or reverse is generally inadvisable. The main risk is the vehicle could suddenly surge forward or backward as the engine starts.
Here are some specific dangers of starting in gear:
- Loss of control – The car could lurch or spin the tires.
- Crash – Unexpected rapid acceleration could cause collisions.
- Rolling – The car can roll away without warning.
- Damage – Transmission parts can be forced to turn before lubricated.
- Excess wear – Greater stress is put on components.
In park or neutral, the transmission uncouples from the wheels. This prevents unwanted movement when the engine starts. Only attempt to start in gear if the situation absolutely requires it.
Reasons to Start in Gear
In certain circumstances, starting in drive or reverse may be necessary. This includes situations like:
- Moving out of danger – Getting the car moving immediately during an emergency.
- Avoiding obstacles – Inching the car forward or back as needed.
- Jump starting – Popping the clutch on a manual to start with dead battery.
- Unstuck in snow/mud – Rocking the car free by shifting between gears.
- Park/neutral not working – Mechanical issues forcing gear starts.
Use great caution and gentle throttle if a scenario calls for starting in gear. Avoid it unless absolutely required for safety or operation.
Tips for Starting in Gear Safely
If starting in drive or reverse cannot be avoided, keep these tips in mind:
- Firmly press the brake – This helps avoid sudden acceleration.
- Be ready – Have your foot hovering over the brake, ready to press harder.
- Gentle gas – Add throttle very gradually to prevent spin or lurch.
- Pull parking brake – Using the parking brake adds extra protection.
- Only when needed – Use gear starts only for operational necessity.
- Pay attention – Watch and listen for any unexpected movement.
With care, presence of mind, and gentle inputs, unintended motion can be minimized when starting in gear. But park or neutral remains the recommended method in most cases.
How to Start Safely on a Hill
Starting on a hill brings extra challenges. Here is a step-by-step process for safe hill starts:
- Press brake and hold
- Shift to neutral
- Set parking brake
- Release foot brake while holding car with parking brake
- Start engine and let it warm up briefly
- Shift to drive or first gear
- Release parking brake while keeping foot on brake
- Check uphill traffic and mirrors
- Transition foot smoothly from brake to throttle
- Accelerate up the hill
The parking brake is key to holding position on the hill during the start. Release it only as you are ready to actually drive away. With practice, hill starts become second nature.
Conclusion
When starting an automatic transmission car, the best practice for most drivers is to begin in park. This simple method is convenient and minimizes the risk of uncontrolled roll or acceleration. However, neutral starting also has legitimate benefits in certain situations. Careful neutral starts provide added control on steep hills and can potentially reduce wear over time.
In the end, choose the starting gear that best fits your individual capabilities and conditions. Focus on safety, smoothness, and control. With basic preparation and practice, you can master starting your automatic car with confidence.