How to Start and Park a Car?

[Barros]

Turn on the power, shift from P (Park) to N (Neutral). Start the engine, wait until the engine speed reaches the idle range and runs smoothly. Shift from N to D (Drive), release the handbrake, and slowly release the foot brake to start moving. Press the brake, wait until the car comes to a complete stop, then shift from D to N, and engage the handbrake. Turn off the engine and release the foot brake. Once the vehicle is stationary, shift from N to P. Remove the key and lock the car doors.

[VanSimon]

The starting procedure is actually not difficult. When I was learning to drive, the instructor taught me very carefully. First, adjust the seat and mirrors, fasten the seatbelt, and press the brake pedal. Then shift the gear to D, release the handbrake, and slowly lift the brake to let the car move on its own. At this point, gently press the accelerator to start smoothly. As for parking, after spotting a space, turn on the indicator, slow down to almost a stop. Then press the brake firmly, shift to P, pull up the handbrake, and release the brake. Remember to always turn off the lights and air conditioning last. Once you get familiar with these steps, your parking will become more stable. The most important thing about driving is developing these basic habits—safe and worry-free.

[LeDerek]

I drive a manual transmission car to and from work every day, with my own rhythm for starting and stopping. When starting, I press both the clutch and brake, shift into first gear, and slowly release the clutch until the car vibrates—that's the semi-engagement point. Add a bit of throttle, release the brake, and off I go. Stopping is simple: press the clutch and brake to slow down, shift into neutral just before the car stops, then fully press the brake and pull the handbrake. Automatic transmissions are much easier—just release the brake to creep forward. A few reminders for beginners: always straighten the steering wheel when parking, and on slopes, engage a gear to prevent rolling. Also, turning off the AC before shutting down the engine helps protect the battery. Over time, these operations become muscle memory.

[DelBrady]

Remember three key points when starting to drive: Check, Smooth, Observe. First, check the dashboard warning lights and adjust the mirrors before driving. Start gently by pressing the accelerator lightly instead of rushing, and keep the steering wheel steady. Parking is even more important—I usually start preparing 200 meters in advance, checking the mirrors and signaling first. Apply the brakes gently when approaching the parking spot, and only shift gears after coming to a complete stop. Pay extra attention when parking in underground mall garages, as those concrete pillars are the most prone to scratches. After parking, close the windows and fold the mirrors to prevent others from scraping your car. These small details can save you a lot on repair costs.

[Paula]

Starting and stopping a car hinges on the coordination of throttle and clutch. For manual transmission: Depress the clutch and shift into first gear, gently release the clutch to the biting point while lightly pressing the throttle and releasing the brake. With automatic transmission, depress the brake, shift to D (Drive), and release the brake to move. When stopping, first decelerate, apply the brakes about 30 meters from the target, reduce speed to 5 km/h, shift to N (Neutral), come to a complete stop, engage the parking brake, and then shift to P (Park). Extra caution is needed when parking on a slope: For manual cars, leave it in gear to prevent rolling; for automatics, engage the parking brake before shifting to P. Once, I forgot to leave my car in gear while parking on a mountain road and it almost rolled away—now I always double-check the gear position when parking.

[Elle]

Starting should be like Tai Chi, emphasizing soft power, and stopping requires learning to apply the brakes with varying degrees of force and timing. For automatic transmissions, press the brake to start, shift gears, release the handbrake, and slowly lift the brake to let the car creep before applying gas. For manual transmissions, use the clutch halfway and add a bit of gas, coordinating with the engine sound. When stopping, don’t slam the brakes—first tap them to slow down, then come to a complete stop. Here’s a trick for reverse parking: when the door handle aligns with the parking line in the rearview mirror, turn the steering wheel back. Make it a habit to park with the front of the car facing out for easier departure. Mastering these basics ensures steady driving even in rain or snow.