Do I need to press the brake after pulling the handbrake and shifting to P gear?
4 Answers
After pulling the handbrake and shifting to P gear, you do not need to press the brake. You only need to pull the handbrake. When parking, you still need to pull the handbrake after shifting to P gear. The P gear is just a parking gear and does not function as a handbrake. When the gear shift lever is in this position, the parking lock mechanism locks the transmission output shaft. The relevant introduction about the handbrake is as follows: 1. Introduction one: The professional term for the handbrake is auxiliary brake. Its principle is different from that of the brake. It uses a steel wire cable connected to the rear brake shoe to brake the car. 2. Introduction two: Long-term use of the handbrake will cause plastic deformation of the steel wire. Since this deformation is irreversible, long-term use will reduce its effectiveness, and the travel of the handbrake will also increase. There is also a return spring used in conjunction with the handbrake. 3. Introduction three: When the handbrake is pulled for braking, the spring is stretched. When the handbrake is released, the spring returns to its original length. Long-term use of the handbrake will also cause corresponding deformation of the spring.
I think this issue should be considered from a safety perspective. When I drive myself, regardless of the situation, I always press the brake when shifting gears—it has become a subconscious action. Although the vehicle is basically secured after engaging the parking brake, the road surface may have slight unevenness, or the parking brake might not be tight enough. In such cases, pressing the brake ensures the car is absolutely stationary. Especially when parking on an uphill slope, where the car's weight tilts backward, not pressing the brake before shifting to P can cause additional stress on the transmission locking mechanism. Many automatic transmission models also have electronic protection mechanisms that prevent shifting into P without pressing the brake. In fact, pressing the brake only takes half a second, yet it provides an extra layer of security—why not do it?
From a mechanical perspective, the transmission in P (Park) mode relies on an internal pawl to lock the gear. The handbrake primarily brakes the rear wheels, and if the vehicle has slight movement when shifted into P, the locking mechanism will make a clicking sound, which is the metal latch under stress. I've seen many car owners experience early transmission wear due to this. Although modern transmissions are designed to be more durable, the fundamental mechanical structure remains unchanged. Parking on a slope for long periods without applying the brakes and shifting into P can cause excessive stress on the locking mechanism. The correct procedure is to come to a complete stop by pressing the brake, shift into N (Neutral), engage the handbrake, release the foot brake to confirm the vehicle doesn't move, and finally press the brake again to shift into P. I've followed this entire process for ten years without any issues.
It actually depends on the situation. People who have driven manual transmissions for over a decade may be more accustomed to using the handbrake for parking, but automatic transmissions are different. On flat ground, there's no major issue with directly shifting to P after pulling the handbrake tight—I've tried it many times. However, when parking on a slope, it's strongly recommended to step on the brake to prevent the vehicle from sliding and impacting the transmission. Here's a little trick: When parking on a slope, pull the handbrake to its highest setting, shift to neutral, release the foot brake, observe if the vehicle moves, and then shift to P. Many new cars now come with an auto-hold function that automatically maintains braking after coming to a stop, making it unnecessary to specifically step on the brake when shifting to P. The key is to adjust your operation based on the actual road conditions.
