About transmission lock in A/T cars

**jupe** · July 2nd, 2014 10:08 AM

Hello.

2013 Honda Jazz 1.5V A/T owner here. Question lang:

While parked uphill on an incline, I absent-mindedly released the handbrake without stepping on the brakes. The car inched backwards, then stopped abruptly. Only then did I realize that the shift lever is still in "P" position and, therefore, the car is being held in place by the transmission lock alone.

Is this ok? Or did I just risk breaking my automatic transmission?

Any possible negative effect? What symptoms must I watch out for?

Will appreciate anyone's input.

TIA.

**tidus1203** · July 2nd, 2014 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by jupe

Hello.

2013 Honda Jazz 1.5V A/T owner here. Question lang:

While parked uphill on an incline, I absent-mindedly released the handbrake without stepping on the brakes. The car inched backwards, then stopped abruptly. Only then did I realize that the shift lever is still in "P" position and, therefore, the car is being held in place by the transmission lock alone.

Is this ok? Or did I just risk breaking my automatic transmission?

Any possible negative effect? What symptoms must I watch out for?

Will appreciate anyone's input.

TIA.

It did not break for sure but in general in any incline don't use the transmission to hold the car in place, always apply the parking brakes...

In this instance I am sure its nothing do it frequently enough it might cause undue stress in the transmission. Besides its cheaper to replace the parking brakes than the transmission

**JohnM** · July 2nd, 2014 10:28 AM

^ +1

When the transmission is in P a pawl (or tooth) extends to engage a lock most likely set somewhere in the tranny case. It won't use the transmission itself because when the engine is off there will be no hydraulic pressure to hold it in place. Ang mapwersa dyan are the engine supports because the weight of the car will be supported there.

**baludoy** · July 2nd, 2014 10:36 AM

i agree w/ the posts above

a tranny specialist even adviced me that whenever parking in an incline, always pull the lever of your parking brake first before shifting to P. that way the parking brake system will bear the brunt of the weight of your vehicle - not the tranny

**1D4LV** · July 2nd, 2014 10:46 AM

kung one time lang naman..... walang magiging problem yan.
however, do not make it a habit...... when parking in a non-inclined or an inclined place, always do the following sequence:

- foot brake
- hand brake
- park

kung paalis ka na, the following should be in sequence.

- step on the foot brake
- release the hand brake
- put the lever to drive

para di ma strain yung transmission.

**1D4LV** · July 2nd, 2014 10:54 AM

kung one time lang naman..... walang magiging problem yan.
however, do not make it a habit...... when parking in a non-inclined or an inclined place, always do the following sequence:

- foot brake
- hand brake
- park

kung paalis ka na, the following should be in sequence.

- step on the foot brake
- release the hand brake
- put the lever to drive

para di ma strain yung transmission.