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Can an Automatic Transmission Car Start Without Pressing the Brake?

2 Answers

MacAlessandra

07/24/25 7:34pm

An automatic transmission car can start without pressing the brake. Whether to press the brake or not when starting an automatic transmission car depends entirely on personal habits. However, for safety reasons, it is best to press the brake when starting on a slope where the car is parked. Pressing the brake during startup can prevent sliding caused by operational errors or handbrake failure. Automatic transmissions generally support starting in P (Park) or N (Neutral) gear and can be turned off in any gear (though it is generally recommended to turn off only in P or N gear). The key can only be removed in P gear. For short stops in the car, such as waiting for someone or being stuck in traffic, you can shift to N gear, then turn off the engine and apply the handbrake. For manual transmission models, pressing the brake to start is the default operation method. This is because early manual transmission models could not guarantee that the gear was in neutral and the clutch was fully depressed when starting. To avoid the dangerous situation of the car lurching forward during startup, it is common practice to press the brake when starting. Not pressing the brake when starting will not cause any damage to the car. However, if the gear is not in neutral before starting a manual transmission car, the vehicle may lurch forward upon ignition, potentially hitting something and causing damage.

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Lily

08/11/25 10:48am

I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade. Once in a garage, I tried to be lazy and start the car without pressing the brake pedal, but the engine wouldn't turn over at all, which really startled me. Later, a friend explained that this is a protective mechanism designed by manufacturers to prevent accidents caused by unintended vehicle movement. Unlike manual transmissions which have a clutch, automatic transmissions could potentially engage a gear if started without the brake pressed, causing the car to move unexpectedly. This is especially dangerous on slopes or in parking lots where unintended movement could have serious consequences. Now I've developed the habit of firmly pressing the brake before starting the engine - it's both safer and more convenient. I recommend everyone regularly check their brake system, including fuses and sensors, rather than waiting until problems arise. In daily driving, paying attention to small details can bring great peace of mind.

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