The Car with the Most Terrible Gear-Shifting Method Has Been Found

BYD has reimagined the familiar gear selector in its own way: instead of a conventional lever, it uses a compact electronic switch that moves up and down. One position selects reverse, another — neutral, and a third — forward, while after the mode is selected, the selector returns to the central position. But the most unusual feature is the parking mode: to engage P, you have to press a separate button right on the end of the selector. This design is officially described in BYD manuals for several models.

For drivers accustomed to a traditional lever, this system may indeed look unusual at first: you have to make a short movement rather than simply move the selector into a fixed position, and rely on the indicator showing the selected mode. At the same time, the idea is not unique to BYD — other carmakers also use similar electronic selectors with a separate P button.

The manufacturer’s main rule is to engage P only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. BYD’s manual specifically warns against pressing the parking button or shifting into R while driving.