Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Park Mechanism
The park mechanism locks the transmission by engaging the park pawl with the park gear which is integral with the secondary drive gear. The secondary drive gear engages with the secondary driven gear which is splined to the final drive shaft, and the final drive gear integrated with the final drive shaft engages the final driven gear.
Shifting to P causes the park cone (installed at the end of the park rod) to press the park pawl onto the park gear. Even if the end of the park pawl rides on the top of the park gear teeth, slight movement of the vehicle will cause the park pawl and the park gear to mesh with each other completely because the park rod spring puts tension on the park cone. The park pawl receives the tension (which acts to separate the park pawl from the park gear) from the park pawl spring.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.