Is it necessary to engage the handbrake after parking an automatic transmission car?
2 Answers
It is necessary to engage the handbrake after parking an automatic transmission car, as doing so can prevent rollaway accidents. The functions of the handbrake are: 1. When parking, engaging the handbrake keeps the car stationary and prevents it from rolling downhill; 2. During driving, applying the handbrake while turning can create a drifting effect; 3. In emergency situations, the handbrake can serve as a brake. The working principle of the handbrake is: 1. The brake disc connected to the driveshaft transmits the pulling force back through the cable to achieve parking braking; 2. After pulling the handbrake, the hydraulic auxiliary cylinder is used to push the hydraulic master cylinder under the car, which then drives the air valve to act and brake the driveshaft.
Hey, I'm someone who's been driving for years, and pulling the handbrake after parking is an absolute must for me. When an automatic transmission is parked in P gear, the transmission is locked, but is that really safe? Not necessarily. On a slope or uneven ground, the car's weight and inertia can cause it to slowly slide away. What if you just got out of the car and it rolls into someone or something? The liability would be huge. I experienced this once—I forgot to pull the handbrake on a gentle slope in my neighborhood, and when I came back, the car had moved a few centimeters. Luckily, there was no accident. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to pull the handbrake every time, even on flat ground, just for peace of mind. Safety first, right? Also, if the insurance company finds out you didn’t use the handbrake during an accident, they might deny your claim, and there could be legal risks too. In short, taking an extra second to pull the handbrake can significantly reduce risks.
