Transmission Shifter: P = Park or not?

[kmeinhold]

It's a manual with a shifter with a "P" which many assume means Park. (I've read its really reverse).

Having lived in San Francisco, I can tell you that merely parking a manual car on some streets in first gear (or reverse) alone will not hold the car in place.

Anyone know if "P" also sets the brake or somehow locks drive train?

Not everyone curbs their wheels like they should and I'm willing to be a significant number of automatic drivers never set the brake.

I ask because I'm sure there will be runaway smarts - if all it does is set the car in a gear.

[Fredvon4]

Like any manual transmission car it is exactly the same mechanically.... in this case when you select "P" the tranny is put in reverse gear and when the motor is shut off the clutch is engaged. On a hill you should curb the wheels and engage the PARKING Brake...a habit most automatic drivers seem to not understand....

[Gortok]

I read somewhere that the US version has a parking pawl, like a real auto...
It's still a good idea to use the parking brake, though.

[lhoboy]

The P position is different than the R position on the U.S. transmission. When I put it in park during the demo ride while the engine was still running it did not move. Hence, not the same as reverse.

[Fredvon4]

Wait until we read the North American owners manual---- From the banter on Canadian and Brit sites there is a specific start and shut down sequence... no parking pawl IMO...the Getrag is shifted to reverse when "P" selected and clutch disengaged if motor running... once key off motor stop the clutch engages. The Brits do not get the "P" selection and can shut off in "N" but the book says to engage the "immobilizer" the car must be shut off in "R" ... there is no steering wheel lock...hence the "immobilizer" mode...