Should I engage the handbrake or shift to neutral first when parking?

[AveryMarie]

Generally, the normal parking procedure is to engage the handbrake first and then shift to neutral. Below are some related driving techniques: 1. When starting the vehicle: Let the engine idle for about half a minute, then depress the clutch, shift to first gear, simultaneously press the foot brake with your right foot, release the handbrake with your right hand, and slowly release the clutch. 2. While driving: When the speed reaches 15-20 km/h, shift to second gear; when reaching 25-30 km/h, shift to third gear. 3. Decelerating to stop: Once the brake reduces the vehicle speed to a safe level, you can depress the clutch, engage the handbrake, and shift to neutral.

[DeEvangeline]

When parking my manual transmission car, I’m used to shifting into neutral first and then applying the handbrake, because neutral completely disengages power transmission, ensuring the car won’t suddenly lurch. At this point, pulling the handbrake tight keeps the car firmly in place. If you apply the handbrake first and then shift into neutral, there’s a risk that if the handbrake isn’t fully engaged, the car might slightly roll, causing wear to the transmission gears. This sequence is especially safer when parking on a slope. My mechanic also advises me to do it this way, saying it reduces strain on the drivetrain and extends the lifespan of components.

[AngeloFitz]

Once, I tried to park on a steep slope by just pulling the handbrake, but the handbrake latch didn’t fully engage, and the car rolled back half a meter, which scared me. Now, no matter where I park, I first press the brake, shift to neutral, and wait until I feel the wheels completely loosen before pulling the handbrake with a firm click. This ensures the wheels are fully locked, which is more reliable than relying solely on the transmission lock. The same applies to automatic cars: shift to N, pull the handbrake, then shift to P to avoid putting strain on the P lock gear. Safety is no small matter!

[LeahRose]

A veteran driver with over twenty years of experience taught me: Parking is like taking off shoes—you need to untie the laces first. Putting the car in neutral is like disconnecting the driveshaft from the wheels, while the handbrake is the real brake. Simply put, the engine's power is transmitted through the gearbox, and neutral cuts off this connection, while the handbrake independently locks the wheels. If you do it the other way around, in case the gearbox gears aren't fully disengaged, the handbrake might bear extra torque. So, every time, I click into neutral, then pull the handbrake, turn off the engine, and walk away—peace of mind.

[BarrettLee]

During driving school, the instructor repeatedly emphasized: After stopping the car, always shift to neutral first! The principle is simple—the transmission system completely disengages in neutral, allowing the parking brake to lock the wheels using an independent braking system. If you engage the parking brake while in Drive (D) or Reverse (R), the engine's power will still attempt to drive the wheels, increasing friction load on the brake pads. This is especially true for modern cars with electronic parking brakes—shifting to neutral is necessary to activate the auto-hold function. I've followed this practice for ten years and never experienced any rolling issues.