Do You Need to Press the Brake When Starting an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
When starting an automatic car, you need to press the brake. The starting steps are as follows: 1. Turn the key or start button to the ON position to allow the vehicle's computer to perform a self-check on various systems; 2. After the self-check is completed, confirm that the gear is in P or neutral and that the handbrake is engaged; 3. Press the brake (for manual transmission, press both the clutch and brake simultaneously), turn the key or press the ignition switch, and release immediately upon hearing the sound of the engine starting; 4. Observe the dashboard for any warning lights and wait for the engine's water temperature to rise and the idle speed to stabilize before driving. An automatic transmission eliminates the need for the driver to manually shift gears, as the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Typically, an automatic transmission car has six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.
You must press the brake pedal. This is entirely for safety reasons. The design of this rule is mainly to prevent the vehicle from moving uncontrollably when starting. Imagine when in Drive (D) or Reverse (R) gear, the power is already engaged. If you don't press the brake, the sudden start could cause the car to roll and hit people or objects. I've driven multiple automatic transmission cars and have developed this habit. For example, with some keyless start systems, you can't turn the key or press the start button successfully without pressing the brake. Manufacturers set it up this way to avoid accidental risks, like if a child randomly presses buttons in the car. Developing the habit of pressing the brake every time you start also protects transmission components and reduces wear. Safety first—I suggest not cutting corners.
