Should an Automatic Transmission Car Engage P Gear First or Pull the Handbrake First?
2 Answers
For an automatic transmission car, you should pull the handbrake first and then engage P gear. When parking, after pressing the foot brake, you should first pull the handbrake to achieve the braking effect of the braking system. Then, engage P gear to lock the transmission shaft, which is safer. If you engage P gear first, the force on the transmission ratchet and pawl will be greater, and over time, it may cause more wear. In addition to the proper use of gears for braking, it is also important to note that during driving, when the speed has increased and the gear ratio provided by D gear no longer meets the speed requirements, you should shift to S gear to provide a higher gear ratio for better speed conversion.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for fifteen years and have learned the hard way about parking procedures. I remember one time parking on a slope by directly shifting to P and leaving—when I returned, the gear lever was stuck as if welded, and I had to call for assistance. Now, I always make sure to come to a complete stop, keep my foot on the brake, shift to neutral (N), pull the handbrake tight, wait until the car is completely stable before releasing the foot brake, and finally shift to P and turn off the engine. This sequence is especially crucial for parking on slopes. The parking pawl inside the transmission is like a small hook—letting the handbrake take the load first prevents this little hook from being damaged by the vehicle's weight. Developing this habit can save a lot on repair costs.
