Do You Need to Press the Brake When Shifting Gears in an Automatic Car?
4 Answers
In most cases, pressing the brake is not required when shifting gears. Here are the situations where you need to press the brake: 1. When starting the car in P (Park) gear, you must press the brake in this situation. Because the car has just started, not pressing the brake can easily cause the car to roll. 2. When driving in neutral (N) gear, you should press the brake. In fact, experienced drivers do not recommend shifting into neutral while driving. But if you really need to shift into neutral, remember to press the brake to avoid emergencies that cannot be resolved. 3. Shifting from N (Neutral) gear to D (Drive) or R (Reverse) gear also requires pressing the brake. If you don't press the brake, the car may surge forward or stop abruptly, which can cause significant damage to the transmission system.
When I first started driving, I was also curious about whether to press the brake when shifting gears. Later, I realized it’s indeed a necessary safety habit. For automatic transmission cars, when switching gears—such as from Park (P) to Reverse (R) or Drive (D)—I always make it a habit to press the brake pedal. This prevents the vehicle from accidentally rolling, especially when starting in underground parking lots or on slopes. If you don’t press the brake, the car might move slightly, potentially causing injury or collision. While shifting gears while driving, such as from D to manual mode, might not require braking, I still press the brake during initial startup because the transmission linkage system locks to prevent misoperation. Making this a reflex has significantly reduced accident risks. I’ve forgotten a few times, and the car jerked instantly, nearly causing a rear-end collision. I recommend that beginners practice this action from day one and not skip it for convenience. After all, driving is a matter of life and death, and small habits can ensure overall safety.
As a driver who frequently operates automatic transmissions, I'm very familiar with the practice of pressing the brake when shifting gears. Most people don't realize this operation stems from vehicle safety design. When shifting from P to D, I must press the brake to complete the gear change, otherwise the car might lurch unexpectedly. My first car behaved exactly like this - it would shake alarmingly if I didn't brake during shifting, until a mechanic explained it was a normal mechanism. Driving in the city with frequent stops and starts, I've developed the habit of always braking when stationary to ensure smooth gear changes and protect the transmission. While some cars allow shifting to manual mode without braking during motion, it's still recommended to brake to prevent interference. A friend once forgot to brake when starting at a green light, causing the car to lurch forward dangerously, nearly hitting a pedestrian. Ultimately, this is a fundamental rule as essential as wearing seatbelts, significantly improving driving safety.
When I was learning to drive, I asked my coach the same question: Do you need to step on the brake when shifting gears? The answer was basically yes. In the design of automatic transmissions, stepping on the brake when shifting out of P gear or into key gears can trigger sensors, ensuring the car remains stable and stationary. For example, when I start from the garage, if I don't step on the brake, the gear might get stuck or the car could slide, causing mechanical wear. During normal driving, frequent gear changes, such as starting at traffic lights, stepping on the brake makes the process smoother and avoids sudden jolts. Sometimes, I use paddle shifters to switch to manual mode on the highway without stepping on the brake, but it's still better to be cautious. In summary, it's a safety reminder, urging us to follow standard procedures to minimize risks.
