Manual Transmission: Apply Handbrake First or Shift to Neutral First?
3 Answers
After parking, first engage the handbrake, then shift to neutral. After coming to a complete stop: Once the vehicle is fully stopped, first apply the handbrake, then shift to neutral, and finally release the clutch. Depress clutch and shift gears: Finally, release the brake, turn off the turn signal, shut off the engine, depress the clutch, and shift to neutral. Below is extended information about the uses of neutral gear and handbrake: When in neutral gear: The vehicle will not move or stall when the engine is running. Release the clutch first to prevent directly releasing it without shifting to neutral, as this could cause the vehicle to move if the engine is running without the handbrake engaged or brakes depressed. After stalling, shift into first gear to prevent the vehicle from moving in case the handbrake cable breaks or the slope is too steep, using the first gear's teeth to lock the vehicle in place. When applying the handbrake: This secures the vehicle. If on a slope and you shift to neutral before applying the handbrake, forgetting to depress the brake could result in the vehicle rolling. For automatic transmission vehicles, if not shifted into Park (P) when parking, the key cannot be removed. Some automatic vehicles cannot shut off the engine unless shifted into Park (P) when parking.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor always emphasized shifting to neutral before engaging the handbrake when parking, otherwise the car could easily roll and cause danger. There was a time when I forgot the sequence and pulled the handbrake first on a slope, resulting in strange noises from the transmission when starting off. Later, a check revealed it was due to excessive gear load. Now it's become a habit: when parking, I first press the brake to bring the car to a complete stop, shift to neutral to disconnect the power, and then firmly engage the handbrake to secure the wheels. This way, whether on flat ground or a slope, nothing goes wrong. I also pay extra attention to performing these actions more steadily on slippery roads to avoid tire skidding and accidental rolling. In short, a few more practices during the beginner stage will turn it into a conditioned reflex.
After driving for half a lifetime, I've figured out that the parking sequence must be shifting to neutral first before pulling the handbrake. The reason is simple: if you pull the handbrake first and then shift gears, the transmission will bear extra torque when the wheels move in a locked state, which may lead to clutch wear or damage to chassis components over time. I've tested this on various roads—for example, when parking downhill, failing to follow this rule can be particularly dangerous if the handbrake isn't fully engaged and the car rolls away. Developing this habit not only brings peace of mind but also protects the vehicle's mechanical components and extends their lifespan. By the way, always double-check the sequence before turning off the engine in places like parking lots.
