SHUTTING DOWN

Shutting Down

Finishing a drive may seem simple, but how you shut down your vehicle plays a key role in staying safe and preventing problems. Those final moments behind the wheel matter. A thoughtful and well-practiced shutdown routine not only protects your vehicle but also helps avoid avoidable risks and ensures your next start is smooth and secure.

What steps should you take before turning off the engine? How do you make sure your vehicle is properly positioned and safe to leave? What should be done with windows and electrical accessories before shutting the car down? Should you remove the key and lock the steering column before exiting? Can forgetting to use the handbrake or choosing the wrong gear lead to safety issues or damage?

This page offers practical guidance on how to shut down your car safely and confidently, whether you're stopping on a level surface or a steep incline. It explains the importance of securing the vehicle, turning off electronics, managing gear selection, and locking everything up before you walk away. These habits not only support defensive driving but also help extend the life of your car’s systems.

By mastering a complete and consistent shutdown process, you'll reduce the risk of rollaways, prevent battery drain, and leave your vehicle properly secured. This page is a valuable resource for building safer habits that protect you, your passengers, and your car at the end of every drive.

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🛈 Info:

⮟ Things to check before shutting down a car

? Question:

⮟ Should I rev the car engine before switching off?

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🛈 Things to check before shutting down a car

Before stopping, make sure you are in a safe area. See Parking.
Close any windows. If you are going to leave any animals in the vehicle, leave a bit of a gap in two windows on diagonally opposite sides of the vehicle so that there will be enough airflow through the cabin.
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop: Ensure that the car is in a safe and appropriate location, such as a parking spot or the side of the road, before turning off the engine.
Put the transmission in "Park" (for automatic) or engage the handbrake (for manual): This prevents the vehicle from rolling unexpectedly once the engine is turned off.
Turn off any electrical accessories: Before switching off the engine, turn off all electrical accessories such as lights, radio, air conditioning, and windshield wipers. This helps to conserve the battery power for the next startup.
Turn off the engine: Once you have completed the necessary safety checks, turn the ignition key to the "off" position or press the engine start/stop button to shut off the engine.
Ignition: Remove the keys from the ignition. This will prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly and reduce the risk of accidents.
After removing the key from the ignition, you may want to turn the steering to the 'Locked' position.

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? Should I rev the car engine before switching off?

No, you generally should not rev the car engine before turning it off. Here’s why:

Modern Engines: Modern engines are designed to manage their own temperature and operation automatically. Revving the engine before shutting down does not significantly benefit the engine's health or longevity.
Fuel Consumption: Revving the engine unnecessarily can waste fuel, especially if the car is not moving. This can impact your fuel economy negatively.
Mechanical Stress: Revving the engine while stationary can put unnecessary stress on engine components, such as the pistons, valves, and bearings.
Noise and Emissions: Revving the engine can create unnecessary noise and emissions, which is not environmentally friendly, especially in residential or crowded areas.

Instead of revving the engine before shutting down, it’s better to follow the standard procedure of allowing the engine to idle briefly (if needed) to stabilize before turning it off. This allows the engine's systems to properly shut down in a controlled manner. If you have any concerns about your engine's performance or operation, it's best to consult your vehicle's owner manual or a qualified mechanic for specific advice.

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