Correct Steps for Parking with Dual-Clutch Transmission
2 Answers
First, decelerate and press the brake pedal, then shift to Neutral (N) gear. The reason for not directly shifting to Park (P) before turning off the engine is to reduce one additional impact on the transmission. Engage the parking brake firmly and release the foot brake. You should feel the force being applied to the parking brake. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop, shift to Park (P) gear. Locate the 【START-ENGINE-STOP】 button on the right side of the steering wheel. Press this button to turn off the engine.
Driving a car with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) requires some finesse when parking, even for seasoned manual transmission drivers like us who need to adapt. Simply put, when you spot a parking space, first tap the brake to slow down, and as the car is about to come to a complete stop, shift directly to Neutral (N) and engage the handbrake—don’t keep the car in Drive (D) while holding the brake. This ensures the DCT clutch plates remain disengaged, avoiding prolonged partial engagement that could lead to overheating and wear. Once fully stopped, shift to Park (P) and turn off the engine to prevent stress on the transmission gears. For traffic lights lasting over 20 seconds, I also prefer shifting to Neutral (N) and using the handbrake, as stop-and-go city driving is toughest on DCTs—developing this habit can help extend the transmission’s lifespan.