Do You Need to Fully Depress the Brake When Shifting Gears in an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
Shifting gears in an automatic car does not require fully depressing the brake. Below are the relevant details about pedal operation when shifting gears in an automatic car: 1. Pedal Techniques: Generally, upshifting in an automatic transmission only requires lightly pressing the accelerator pedal, while downshifting requires lightly pressing the brake pedal. It is also recommended not to exceed 50% of the pedal's travel range, as doing so may shorten its service life. 2. How the Pedals Work: An automatic transmission shifts gears automatically. Lightly pressing the accelerator pedal prompts the computer to upshift based on the engine load and vehicle speed. Similarly, lightly pressing the brake pedal causes the computer to downshift according to the engine load and vehicle speed.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I instinctively press the brake pedal all the way down every time I shift gears. It has become muscle memory because I learned the hard way from not braking. Two years ago, while waiting at a red light, my foot slipped and touched the gear lever, causing the car to suddenly lurch forward and nearly rear-end the car in front. Later, a mechanic explained that automatic transmission shift mechanisms have an electronic lock—without pressing the brake, the gear lever simply won’t budge. Especially when waiting at a red light, even shifting to Neutral (N) requires keeping the brake pressed; otherwise, rolling is even more dangerous. Now, whether driving our family’s Camry or my wife’s Mini, I’ve developed this habit—it protects the transmission and prevents accidents. However, some older cars lack this design, but for safety’s sake, pressing the brake is still the most reliable approach.
