Do You Need to Press the Brake When Shifting an Automatic Transmission?

[SanVincent]

Shifting gears in an automatic transmission does not necessarily require pressing the brake, except when shifting from P (Park) to other gears, where pressing the brake is mandatory. Here is some related information about braking: 1. Purpose: To decelerate, either to reduce speed or to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. 2. Classification: Emergency Braking During emergency braking, it's also important to be aware of the risk of rear-end collisions by the following vehicle. This situation commonly occurs in urban driving. If the vehicle ahead stops suddenly, after applying emergency brakes, try to ease off the brake slightly to allow the car to roll forward a bit, giving the following vehicle some buffer space. Normal Braking It's common to see many novice drivers experience a 'nodding' phenomenon when braking. The root cause of this phenomenon is improper use of the brakes. The force applied to the brake pedal matters—the correct approach is to start with light pressure, gradually increase it, then decrease it gradually. By the time the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the braking force should just reach zero. This is the most ideal braking technique, ensuring passenger comfort and effectively preventing motion sickness.

[DelMadelyn]

When shifting gears in an automatic transmission car, it's essential to step on the brake for safety reasons. Having driven for over ten years, I've developed the habit of pressing the brake every time before shifting from P (Park) to D (Drive) to start moving. If you shift gears without pressing the brake, the car might suddenly lurch forward, increasing the risk of hitting obstacles ahead. It's even more critical to firmly press the brake when shifting from D to R (Reverse) for backing up; otherwise, the vehicle could lose control. Briefly shifting to N (Neutral) and back to D at a red light while keeping the brake pressed can also prevent the car from rolling. However, when manually shifting gears at high speeds, such as switching from D to S (Sport) for overtaking, there's no need to press the brake. Developing the habit of pressing the brake when shifting gears can protect the transmission and extend its lifespan.

[LeKira]

From a safety perspective, stepping on the brake when shifting gears in an automatic transmission is essential. Especially when starting the vehicle from a stationary position, pressing the brake before shifting can prevent rolling or sudden movement that could lead to accidents. For example, when moving the car in a garage or parallel parking, shifting without braking can easily cause scratches. I've noticed that some luxury cars have protective designs where you can't shift gears at all without pressing the brake. When stopping at a red light, shifting from D to N can save fuel, and pressing the brake can prevent accidental acceleration due to mistakenly hitting the gas pedal. The only exception is when switching to sport mode or manual mode while driving, where you can operate directly without braking. It's recommended to develop the muscle memory of pressing the brake every time you shift gears.

[CarterAnn]

Automatic transmission shifting is directly related to brake pedal operation and transmission design. When in P or N gear, the transmission power is cut off, but the moment you shift to D or R gear, power is suddenly reconnected. Without pressing the brake, the vehicle may move due to this power engagement - especially on slopes where gravity makes rollback more likely. When shifting from N to D at red lights, braking protects transmission gears. Experienced drivers know many shift shocks and jerks come from insufficient brake pressure. However, brake operation isn't required during cruise control shifting - that's a special case. For safety, keeping the brake pressed remains the most reliable practice.