Is it necessary to press the brake when shifting gears in an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
In most cases, shifting gears does not require pressing the brake. However, you need to press the brake when shifting to the following gears: 1. N gear on slopes: This is the neutral gear, which is used for short stops. At this time, the right foot can leave the brake pedal to rest. But if you are on an uphill or downhill slope, you still need to press the brake to prevent the car from rolling, unless you engage the handbrake or electronic brake. 2. Waiting at a red light: If the red light lasts less than 30 seconds, it is recommended that the driver simply press the brake. 3. Starting the car in P gear: When starting the car, shifting from P to D gear will pass through R gear. The correct procedure is to turn on the power, press the brake, shift to N gear, then start the engine and shift to D gear.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade, I've found that shifting gears while braking depends on the situation. When shifting from P to D or R, you must press the brake pedal; otherwise, the gear lever will be locked and impossible to move. This is a safety mechanism designed by manufacturers to prevent accidental sudden vehicle movement. However, if you're already in N and want to shift to D, or shifting from D back to N at a red light, you can actually operate without pressing the brake. For safety, though, I recommend developing the habit of pressing the brake before shifting, especially in places like underground garage ramps where accidental sliding could be dangerous. The vehicle manual actually specifies these operating procedures.
I think whether you need to press the brake when shifting an automatic transmission mainly depends on the gearbox status. Take Japanese cars' straight gear levers for example - that audible "click" lock when moving out of P gear simply won't release without braking. But German cars with electronic column shifters might allow gear changes by just releasing the parking brake, though manufacturers usually retain the forced brake-pressing logic. Seasoned drivers may find it troublesome, but considering the risk of accidental operation by novices or children, this design is indeed necessary. Once a friend forced the gear lever without braking, triggering the transmission protection and illuminating the warning light, ultimately requiring a tow to the dealership and costing over 2,000 RMB in repairs.
