Should I Engage the Handbrake First or Shift to P Gear First?

[DakotaDella]

It is recommended to engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear. If parking on a flat surface, either sequence is acceptable for an automatic transmission vehicle, as neither operation will adversely affect the car. However, when parking on a slope, always engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear. The P gear, serving as the parking position, provides a certain parking braking force. Its locking mechanism consists of a parking pawl with locking teeth and a parking gear with teeth. When shifting into P gear during parking, the pressure plate presses down, causing the locking teeth to engage and the transmission's drive wheels to lock, thereby stopping the vehicle. On slopes, avoid releasing the brake pedal first; instead, firmly engage the handbrake before shifting to P gear. If you shift directly to P gear without securing the handbrake and then release the brake, the vehicle may lurch forward or backward, making it difficult to start and shift gears again.