Should the handbrake be released before or after shifting gears in a manual transmission?
2 Answers
In a manual transmission, the handbrake should be released after shifting gears. The correct starting procedure for a manual transmission car is: 1. Fully depress the clutch pedal with your left foot; 2. Shift the gear lever into 1st gear; 3. Turn on the left turn signal and sound the horn to alert vehicles and pedestrians in front and behind; 4. Release the handbrake and gently lift the clutch with your left foot; 5. Lightly press the accelerator with the ball of your right foot. The gears in a manual transmission car are: 1. 1st gear is the starting gear: used for vehicle starting; 2. 2nd gear is the passing gear: used for navigating complex road surfaces and handling complex situations; 3. 3rd gear is the transition gear: used for low-speed driving in urban roads; 4. 4th gear is the driving gear: used for prolonged high-speed driving; 5. 5th gear is the high-speed gear: used for long-distance highway driving.
Having driven manual transmission cars for over a decade, I deeply understand how operation sequences affect safety. When starting off, you should absolutely engage the gear first before releasing the handbrake, especially on slopes. I remember once parking on a slight incline - following driving school instructions, I depressed the clutch, shifted to first gear, waited to feel the semi-engaged state when the car's nose slightly lifted, then released the handbrake and gently pressed the accelerator for a smooth start. If I had carelessly released the handbrake first, the car would have instantly rolled back over half a meter, nearly hitting the vehicle behind. Now whether on flat roads or slopes, I've developed the habit: clutch in → shift gear → release handbrake → slowly release clutch while giving gas. This is also better for the clutch, avoiding sudden power engagement that causes wear. New drivers tend to rush, but this sequence absolutely must not be messed up.
