Do You Need to Press the Brake When Shifting Gears in an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
When shifting gears in an automatic transmission car, you must press the brake to prevent misoperation and ensure safety. Below is a detailed introduction to car gear positions: 1. First Gear (Starting Gear): Primarily used for starting and climbing steep slopes. Small cars should generally start in first gear unless under special circumstances. Large vehicles are designed to start in first gear when fully loaded, so they can start in second gear when lightly loaded. First gear is used for steep slopes, with a typical speed below 10 km/h. 2. Second Gear (Passing Gear): Used for navigating complex road conditions, such as sharp turns without obstacles, crowded urban areas, moderately steep uphill sections, or bumpy roads. The typical speed is below 20 km/h. 3. Third Gear (Transition Gear): Mainly used for low-speed urban driving, especially on roads with frequent speed changes. Slight acceleration increases speed, while easing off the throttle slows the car. If shifting is needed, acceleration can smoothly transition to fourth gear, and deceleration can easily shift down to second gear. 4. Fourth Gear (Driving Gear): Used for prolonged driving at an economical speed, typically above 40 km/h. Most vehicles achieve optimal fuel efficiency at engine speeds between 1,800–2,500 RPM and speeds between 60–80 km/h. Fourth gear is suitable for speeds above 40 km/h, while fifth gear should be used above 50 km/h. 5. Fifth Gear (High-Speed Gear): Primarily for high-speed long-distance driving above 50 km/h. Maintaining high RPMs in fourth gear wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Shifting to fifth gear allows for sustained high-speed driving while keeping the engine in its optimal fuel-efficient RPM range, improving both efficiency and vehicle longevity. 6. Reverse Gear: Used for reversing. Note that the car must come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse. Never shift into reverse while the car is moving forward, as this can damage the vehicle.
When I used to drive an automatic transmission car, I forgot to press the brake several times before shifting gears, causing the car to jerk violently and almost hit an obstacle, which gave me a cold sweat. Since then, I’ve developed a habit of firmly pressing the brake every time before shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse. This ensures the car moves smoothly and avoids accidental slips that could lead to accidents. The reason automatic cars are designed this way is because the transmission has a locking mechanism—it only releases the gearshift when the brake is pressed, preventing dangers from novice operation or on slopes. I recommend everyone practice this action regularly in daily driving and always engage the parking brake before shifting to Park to ensure safety. Don’t overlook these details—they can save your life.
