answer: Nothing

Went to shift from LOW into DRIVE on the expressway without paying attention and overshot; ended up in PARK. What happened? Although I thought the transmission would fall out, actually only thing that happened was that I could not shift back into DRIVE while I was moving forward (although I could drive normally). Pulled over into breakdown lane, stopped, shifted, and took off again.

Smart computer! Thank you to the Ford engineers!

Did you try shifting out of park while you were pressing the brake? I know that you have to do this when parked and shifting from P->D so this condition may need to be true in this case as well.

You probably don't care to try again and find out, do you?

On the same note, I think shifting into R while moving forward has a similar effect. The computer now checks for several conditions before allowing reverse activation. Thanks for confirming that it does the same for park.

I'll take your word for it... Do not try this at home... errr, or on the road!

Derek... 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid...

There have been reports of drivers accidently shifting into R while driving on the highway with no real changes/damage. I have to admit, I actually did this in January 2008. I drove forward about 5 seconds (speed under 25 mph) while the shift lever was in "R". I was able to shift back to "D" without stopping the vehicle.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain. Aug. 2007

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio. May 2008

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa. July 2008.

Good to know that the FEH is smarter than this. I accidentally did this in a 2008 Buick rental at about 85 MPH in Wisconsin about a year ago... horrible noise, and the car shut off. When I restarted it, reverse didn't work anymore and the car would only go about 25mph forward.