Should the Handbrake Be Released When in N Gear?
2 Answers
Whether to engage the handbrake when in N gear depends on the situation: if the parking time is very short, simply pressing the brake pedal is sufficient; if parking for more than half a minute, the handbrake should be engaged when in N gear. The introduction of automatic transmission gear positions is as follows: P Gear: Parking gear. When the vehicle is completely stationary, press the unlock button at the front of the gear lever to shift into P gear. R Gear: Reverse gear. When the vehicle is completely stationary, press the brake pedal, press the unlock button at the front of the gear lever, shift into R gear, and after releasing the brake pedal, slowly press the accelerator to move the vehicle backward. N Gear: Neutral gear. The gear lever can be directly shifted from R or D gear into N gear. When shifting out of N gear, the brake pedal must be pressed. D Gear: Drive gear. The gear lever can be directly shifted from N gear into D gear. This gear is generally used when the vehicle is moving forward, and the system will automatically shift up or down based on engine load and speed. S Gear: The S gear in automatic transmission stands for Sport gear, which emphasizes power output in sport mode. Due to its strong power, S gear is usually used when overtaking or climbing a slope. After completing these actions, it is switched back to the more economical D gear, as the S gear mode consumes more fuel than the normal mode due to increased fuel injection at high RPMs.
When I used to drive, I often encountered issues with shifting to Neutral (N) gear. To be honest, whether to release the handbrake when in neutral depends entirely on the scenario. If parking on a slope or waiting at a red light for an extended period, I always make sure to engage the handbrake firmly, because releasing it could cause the car to roll downhill, which is extremely dangerous. Once, I forgot to engage the handbrake on a slope, and the car rolled back half a meter, nearly hitting the vehicle behind me. Since then, I’ve developed a habit: in any parking situation, including when in N gear, I ensure the handbrake is engaged. For brief stops on flat roads, like waiting at a traffic light for ten seconds or so, I sometimes rely on the foot brake to hold the car without releasing the handbrake—this saves effort and avoids risk. Safety comes first, after all. Vehicle rolling is a common cause of accidents, ranging from minor scratches to serious injuries. I recommend that all drivers develop the habit of using the handbrake regularly, whether driving an automatic or manual transmission—especially new drivers should be extra cautious and not skip this step. Also, check the handbrake system and maintain it periodically to prevent wear and failure.
