It can be a real pickle to decipher the meaning of different P buttons in a modern car!

P button in car can have several meanings depending on the vehicle you’re using. Here are the top 3 meanings of P button in your car:

• 1. Parking brake button
• 2. Parking sensor activation button
• 3. Automatic parking assist button

But how do you differentiate between each of these buttons? What do you achieve by pressing each P button? And how do you properly use each of these functions?

Let’s find out all about P buttons and P symbols in your car!

1. Parking Brake Button ( Symbol: (Ⓟ) )

If your car was produced after 2010, chances are it will have a P button for engaging the parking brake. That’s probably the most common and most frequently found P button in cars.

What Does (Ⓟ) Symbol on Your Dashboard Mean?

The (Ⓟ) symbol on your instrument cluster simply means that the parking brake has been engaged. But different models can have different symbols that serve the same purpose.

To differentiate this P sign from other P signs, look for any cones, squares, and triangular shapes in front of the alphabet P.

If there is just the alphabet P (may be circled, maybe not) and there is a bracket and few lines around it, you can be sure that it’s for the parking brake.

How Does a Parking Brake Work?

A parking brake is a type of an emergency brake. The regular use of a parking brake is to avoid the car from rolling over while in a parked position.

Parking brakes use mechanical elements that work independently from your car’s regular hydraulic, disc-based, or electronic brake systems.

It provides a kind of backup in case the main braking system fails. Parking brakes add an extra layer of protection.

How Do You Engage the Parking Brake in Your Car?

Here’s how you can properly engage the parking brake in your car:

• Wait until the car comes to a standstill.
• Now press down the brake pedal completely.
• Press the P button present on the left side of the center console.
• Now shift your automatic transmission into “Park”.
• Release the brake pedal and turn off the engine.

2. Parking Sensors ( Symbol: P彡△ )

Another familiar P button you see in cars today has three circular lines and a cone in front of the alphabet P. You can use this button to activate the parking sensors in your car.

What Does P彡△ Symbol on Your Dashboard Mean?

The P彡△ symbol on your dashboard means that your car’s parking sensors have been activated. Most cars today are equipped with parking sensors to help with parking.

Watch out for any kinds of cones and lines along with the alphabet P to differentiate this P button from others. The lines usually represent the signals emitted from the sensors, whereas the cones and triangles signify that it has something to do with parking the vehicle.

How Do Car Parking Sensors Work?

Car parking sensors work on a simple emitter-receiver feedback system. The parking sensors emit electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles in the path.

If an obstacle is present, the waves are reflected and collected by the receiver. You get an output in the form of a beeping sound.

The beeping sound gets louder as soon as the car approaches the obstacle. This way, the driver knows that the car is approaching an obstacle.

How to Activate Parking Sensors in Your Car?

It depends on your car. Some cars have 360-degree radar systems, while others have reverse radar systems. Parking sensors are usually embedded into your car’s side panels and bumpers.

Here are the two ways to activate the parking sensors in your car.

• 1. Put your vehicle in reverse gear, and the parking sensors will automatically activate.
• 2. If that’s not the case, you only need to press the P button with cones and lines on your center console. This will activate the parking sensors.

3. Automatic Parking Assist

Cars with the latest ADAS systems come with an automatic parking assist. If you see a button with the alphabet P followed by some lines, square boxes, or a steering wheel, you can use it to activate the parking assist features in your car.

What Does the Symbol on Your Dashboard Mean?

The symbol on your dashboard means that automatic parking assist has been activated. It can be hard to differentiate between parking sensors, parking assistance symbols, and buttons.

So, I recommend consulting your car’s user manual to be sure about the functionality and level of assistance on offer. But buttons with the P alphabet followed by square and driving wheels usually mean that your car offers a certain level of parking assistance.

How Does Automatic Parking Assist Work?

Automatic parking assist works differently in different vehicles. Some cars allow for fully automatic parking, while others assist the driver.

Automatic parking assist uses the input from parking sensors and radar systems to determine if you can park the car in a particular space. After that, it checks for distance on either side and looks to avoid obstacles in the parking spot.

A fully automatic parking assist doesn’t need any input from the driver. The system acts on the data from parking sensors and applies brakes, presses gas pedal, and take corrective steering function to park the car for you.

How Do You Use the Parking Assist Function in Your Car?

The usability of the parking assist function differs from vehicle to vehicle, but here are some generic guidelines for using it:

• Back your car up to the desired parking spot.
• Activate the parking assist function by pressing the button.
• The parking assist function will check if there is enough space for parking.
• It will give instructions for speed adjustment and braking.
• Use turn signals to adjust the distance from vehicles on either side.
• Leave the steering wheel and let the system apply corrective steering action.
• Don’t leave the vehicle fully unattended, and always be cautious.
• Be ready to take over at any point.

Final Word; 3 Meanings of P Button in Your Car (+Functions)

So, there you have it. 3 meanings of P button in your car!

You can use the P button in car to carry out 3 major functions: engage the parking brake, activate the parking sensors, and use the automatic parking assist feature.

But remember that the P button in the car can have many different meanings. It would relate somewhat to the three meanings mentioned here, but the symbol and functionality might differ.

I can’t stress this enough: modern cars have problems requiring modern solutions.

As a new car owner, always consult the user manual to find out the meanings of different symbols and buttons in your car for your safety.

If there are any more questions, leave them in the comment section below, and I’ll try to respond to each and every one of them.

For more advice on car maintenance, please explore our blog.