Do You Need to Step on the Brake When Starting an Automatic Car?

2 Answers
LincolnLynn
07/24/25 5:28am
When starting an automatic car in a stationary position, you do not need to step on the brake. However, if the car is about to move, you need to step on the brake. 1. Stationary Start In this state, the car is usually in the "P" gear, which provides braking force. Therefore, you don't need to step on the brake when starting the car. However, from a safety perspective, stepping on the brake while starting is a good habit. 2. Starting to Move When starting the car at a traffic light or preparing to move, you need to step on the brake. In this situation, the car requires power, and most automatic cars have a lock when shifting from "P" to "R" or "N" gear. You must step on the brake to successfully shift gears. Therefore, you need to step on the brake first when starting the car.
Was this review help?
9
5
Share
ErinLee
08/11/25 1:12am
As a long-time automatic transmission car owner, I believe stepping on the brake when starting the car is essential. This is primarily for safety reasons. If you start the engine without pressing the brake, the vehicle might unexpectedly move due to sudden power engagement, especially on slopes, which could lead to rolling accidents. When I was younger, I witnessed someone forgetting to press the brake, causing the car to lurch forward suddenly and nearly hit a wall. Since then, I've made it a habit to always place my foot on the brake when starting the car. The procedure is quite simple: sit properly in the driver's seat, press the brake pedal, then turn the key to start the engine. Developing this habit makes driving much safer, especially for beginners or families with children. Additionally, there might be slight variations among different car models. For instance, some high-end vehicles are equipped with safety lock systems that prevent the engine from starting unless the brake is pressed. Therefore, pressing the brake isn't just a common practice but a safety feature in modern car designs. In short, treating it as a standard procedure can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
Was this review help?
12
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

Is driving at 80 in a 70 speed limit zone on the highway considered speeding?

Driving at 80 in a 70 speed limit zone on the highway is considered speeding. According to the speeding calculation formula, the speeding ratio exceeds 10%. For this speeding behavior, 3 points will be deducted and a fine will be imposed. Drive in the designated lane: Highway lanes are clearly marked, with dedicated lanes for large vehicles, small vehicles, etc. When overtaking, once you occupy a certain lane, you should promptly return to your corresponding lane after completing the overtaking, and do not occupy other lanes for a long time. In addition, emergency lanes should not be occupied for a long time without special reasons. Maintain longitudinal distance between vehicles: Under normal circumstances, when the road surface is dry and the brakes are in good condition, the distance between vehicles (m) should not be less than the speed (km/h). For example, when the speed is 80km/h, the distance should not be less than 80m; when the speed is 100km/h, the distance should not be less than 100m. Always pay attention to the roadside distance signs. In rainy, foggy, snowy, or wet road conditions, the distance between vehicles should be more than doubled. Pay attention to traffic signs: While driving, always pay attention to the roadside and overhead signs and markings, and drive appropriately to the right to avoid running over the right lane dividing line, so as to provide sufficient lateral distance for overtaking vehicles behind.
13
2
Share

Do new energy vehicles need to pay vehicle purchase tax?

New energy vehicles are exempt from vehicle purchase tax. The Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the "Announcement on the Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax for New Energy Vehicles," stating that from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, the purchase of new energy vehicles is exempt from vehicle purchase tax. New energy vehicles exempt from vehicle purchase tax include pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid (including range-extended) vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Calculation method for purchase tax: Vehicle purchase tax is calculated based on the ad valorem rate method. The calculation formula is: tax payable = taxable price × tax rate. If a consumer purchases a domestic private vehicle, the taxable price is the total payment to the dealer and additional fees, excluding the value-added tax (VAT) (17%). Since the purchase price on the special invoice for motor vehicle sales includes VAT, the VAT must be deducted first when calculating the vehicle purchase tax, i.e., taxable price = invoice price ÷ 1.17, and then the vehicle purchase tax is calculated at a 10% rate. Note: The exemption policy for new energy vehicles listed in the "Catalog" before December 31, 2020, remains valid.
18
3
Share

What brand of car is MB?

There is no car brand named MB. The correct spelling is MG, with the Chinese name being MG, the full name Morris Garages. It was established in Oxford, UK, in 1924 by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited. The name is derived from the initials of Morris Garages (Morris Car Dealership) founded by William Morris in 1910. MG cars were extensively sold in the United States from the post-World War II era to the 1960s. MG primarily includes the following models: MG6, MG5, MG ZS, MG HS, MG ONE, MG Pilot, MG Pilot New Energy, MG5 Scorpio, MG3, MG3 SW, GT, GS, MG EZS Pure Electric, MG6 New Energy, MG7, MG HS New Energy, MG TF, MG IGS, MG Emotion, and many more. Key milestones in MG's development are as follows: In 1910, William Morris established Morris Garage (Morris Car Dealership) in Oxford, UK. In March 1924, MG produced its first series of products. In 1930, MG manufactured a Twin Twelve version of the Midget based on the Midget M. In 1955, MG developed a new model, the MGA, equipped with a 1.6L engine and a newly developed transmission system. On July 22, 2005, Nanjing Automobile Group Co., Ltd. successfully acquired British MG Rover Group and its engine production division, marking the first time a Chinese enterprise acquired a renowned foreign car manufacturer. The merged company was named Nanjing MG Automobile Co., Ltd. In April 2007, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Group) fully acquired Nanjing Automobile Group.
9
1
Share

How often should a used car undergo annual inspection?

For used cars older than six years, an annual inspection is required. If calculated from the date of purchase as a new car, and it's still within six years, you only need to obtain the annual inspection sticker every two years. Liability for Accidents: For vehicles that fail to undergo the annual inspection on time, the party involved will bear full or primary responsibility for any traffic accidents caused. The insurance company will not be liable, as the insurance policy specifies that vehicles with expired inspections are among those excluded from coverage. Mandatory Scrapping: According to the 'Regulations on the Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles,' if a motor vehicle fails to obtain the inspection compliance sticker for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of its inspection validity period, it will be subject to mandatory scrapping.
13
3
Share

Does Parking on a Slope Affect the Car?

Parking on a slope only requires concern about the car rolling away, but it does not affect the car itself. Here is additional information: 1. If parking on a slope, you must firmly engage the handbrake; otherwise, there is a significant safety risk. Due to inertia, the car may roll, which can be very dangerous. 2. The car's handbrake is not that fragile—it won't be damaged by a little inertia. Therefore, as long as the handbrake is firmly engaged, parking on a slope has no impact on the vehicle. 3. When driving uphill, use a low gear. Climbing requires sustained high torque output combined with power to maintain stable performance. For automatic transmission cars, use the L (Low) gear if available; otherwise, switch to manual mode.
19
2
Share

Is the toe-in larger at the front or the rear of the car?

Toe-in is larger at the front of the car. Introduction to front wheel toe-in: Front wheel toe-in refers to the condition where the distance between the front ends of the two front wheels is smaller than the distance between the rear ends. The difference in these distances is called the toe-in value. When viewed from above the car, the two front wheels form an upward-opening "V" shape. Front wheel toe-in can be defined as the difference in distance between the front and rear edges of the front wheels in the lateral direction of the vehicle, or as the angle between the direction of the vehicle's forward motion and the plane of the front wheels, in which case it is also called the toe-in angle. Function of toe-in: To ensure stable straight-line driving, the steering wheels should have an automatic self-centering effect. That is, when the steering wheels are subjected to an external force (such as hitting a stone) and deviate, they should immediately return to the straight-line driving position after the external force disappears. This self-centering effect is ensured by the positioning parameters of the steering wheels. Front wheel toe-in is one of these positioning parameters.
14
0
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.