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Shifting from neutral when off

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Scarif_1, Sep 30, 2024.

  1. Sep 30, 2024 at 10:46 AM
    #1
    Scarif_1

    Scarif_1 [OP] New Member

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    Bilstein 6112s @ 3” w/ 5160s & Dobinsons 1.5" rear springs. SPC UCAs & Perry Parts Bump Stops. SCS F5s & Toyo RT Trail 285/70R17. C4 Sliders.
    So, I’m developing a habit of setting the P. brake from neutral before shifting into park. Keeping the weight off the parking pawl. Every now and then I’ll shut the engine off forgetting I’m still in neutral before shifting into park. I know I can still shift into park when off. Am I doing any damage by doing so? Not sure how the truck is able to shift at all without power.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2024
  2. Sep 30, 2024 at 10:47 AM
    #2
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    It's fine.
     
    Scarif_1[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 30, 2024 at 10:48 AM
    #3
    dgtulsaguy

    dgtulsaguy Rocklanding Jedi Master equivalent

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    Transmission shifting is still done by a good ol' fashioned cable with these cars so thankfully it works without power and will not cause any issues.
     
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  4. Sep 30, 2024 at 10:49 AM
    #4
    icebear

    icebear Recovered Kia Owner

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    The shifter is still cable-driven so I would say you're fine.

    Of course there's likely some computer idiot-proofing but for park and neutral it's likely manual.

    Edit: And for shift-by-wire vehicles, as long as they have power I'd say you have no problem there too. Even if suddenly losing 12V, the transmission might just "fail closed" into park as well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2024
    Scarif_1[OP] and dgtulsaguy like this.
  5. Sep 30, 2024 at 1:23 PM
    #5
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    You're overthinking this. A: It's not going to hurt it with what you're doing currently. B: You can achieve the same thing by keeping your foot on the brake, shifting to Park, and then engaging the parking brake BEFORE you take your foot off the brake. C: This method ensures that if the parking brake does not fully engage, you WILL hit the parking pawl, and the truck will not roll into something in front of or in the rear of the vehicle.
     
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  6. Sep 30, 2024 at 3:20 PM
    #6
    CalcityRenegade

    CalcityRenegade New Member

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    Is this some sort of enginerd behavior I'm unaware of? Why not just leave it in neutral and use wheel chocks so you never apply pressure to the pawl? lol
     
    whippersnapper02 likes this.
  7. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:14 PM
    #7
    icebear

    icebear Recovered Kia Owner

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    Can't remove key when not in Park.

    If parked on an incline, it can prevent unpleasant (and surprisingly strong in the case of my previous car - until I got the parking brake adjusted) jarring when shifting out of park later. Doesn't make a difference on level ground but we're all meatbags with quirks.
     
    McSpazatron likes this.
  8. Oct 1, 2024 at 8:21 PM
    #8
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    I’ve even gotten that loud bang shifting out of park inside my garage. It hurts just to hear it lol. I make a habit of unloading the driveline before applying the parking brake too.
     
    icebear[QUOTED] likes this.

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