P-button, then Power off, vs just Power Off

Are you parking on a slope? Is your transmission oil too thick?

 

The only time I ever hit the Park button is if I want to sit in the car without turning it off. Turing off the car automatically puts it in Park.

If you stop the car, your foot will be on the brake when you turn it off. If you're on level ground, the car will just sit there when you lift your foot off the brake pedal. When you start up the ICE, it will apply a little torque to the drive train. That will try to turn the transaxle. If the Park pawl is engaged in its slot, nothing happens. If it's not, the car will roll till the pawl drops into a. slot.

If you stop and put the car in park, then lift your foot off the brake before turning off the car, the pawl will engage right then rather than later. Looks like this:


(From post #2 here: Prime rolls when put in park even in small incline | PriusChat)

 

People here told me that something was wrong with my car and take it to the dealership when I describe the slight jerk or tug on cold soak start up like yours.

 

I've mostly forgotten that P button even exists, virtually always shut down with right foot on brake, push down parking brake pedal with left foot, release both. Haven't noticed a kick on start up.

Do you know if the transaxle fluid was ever changed? What was used?

 

OK, there is a difference.

When you hit P, the car's electrical system powers an electric motor into a locked position.

When you turn off the car, the 12 volt battery powers an electric motor into a locked position. If it is dead enough, you get a P-lock Malfunction, which contains the bad advice that it might be a transmission issue.

If you are noticing a subtle difference, I would check the 12 volt battery, it may be weak.