Should the Handbrake Be Pulled Up When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
It is best to pull up the handbrake for an automatic transmission car. Here are some related introductions about automatic transmission: 1. Transmission Types: There are mainly two types of automatic transmissions used in cars. One is the stepped automatic transmission, and the other is the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The most commonly used in passenger cars is the mechanical continuously variable transmission, which uses a V-shaped metal drive belt or chain to transmit torque between the driving and driven pulleys' V-shaped grooves. This transmission method is typically used in smaller vehicles. 2. Operational Characteristics: When driving a modern automatic transmission car, the driver only needs to control the accelerator pedal. The computer analyzes signals from sensors that detect the engine throttle opening and vehicle speed, automatically controlling gear shifts or switching the transmission into different gears. Generally, automatic transmissions may cause some power loss to the engine. The biggest advantage of automatic transmission vehicles is convenience, especially in traffic jams or when encountering uphill traffic jams, where the benefits of automatic transmission become even more apparent. Nowadays, automatic transmission cars are becoming increasingly popular. From the perspective of advanced automotive development countries, most vehicles are transitioning to fully automatic transmissions. The trend in automotive development is for automatic transmissions to replace manual transmissions as the primary choice for daily driving.
After driving for so many years, I always engage the handbrake when parking—it's basic safety knowledge. Although automatic transmission cars have a P (Park) gear that locks the transmission, the P gear relies only on a small pawl to hold the vehicle. On steep slopes or slippery surfaces, this mechanism can fail, causing the car to roll. I once experienced this myself—I parked on a slope without using the handbrake, and the car slid over a meter, nearly hitting a roadside guardrail. It scared me so much my heart raced. Since then, I’ve made it a habit: after parking, I keep my foot on the brake, shift into P, then pull the handbrake and check that it’s firmly engaged before turning off the engine. This not only protects my safety and others’, but also extends the transmission’s lifespan by reducing unnecessary stress. Even on flat ground, it’s best to use the handbrake as a precaution—especially on windy or rainy days, adding an extra layer of security. Safety always comes first.
