Park Pawl, Function

See Figure.

Operation 

In selector lever position "P", the cone (42) slides between the parking lock pawl (43) and the guide sleeve (40). The parking lock pawl (43) is therefore pushed against the parking lock gear (4). If the tooth of the parking lock pawl (43) does not engage in a tooth space when the vehicle is stationary, but rather touches a tooth of the parking lock gear (4), the cone (42) is pre-tensioned by the spring (41) and positioned ready for operation. If the parking lock gear (4) continues to turn, the parking lock pawl (43) engages in the next tooth space.

To prevent damage due to misuse, the intervals between the tooth gaps are such that the park detent (43) can only engage when the vehicle is stationary or crawling at low speed. If the vehicle rolls faster, the shape of the teeth prevents the parking lock pawl (43) from engaging.