Should You Engage P Gear or Apply the Handbrake First in an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
When parking an automatic transmission car, you can either engage the P gear or apply the handbrake first. However, before shifting into P gear, you must ensure that the car has come to a complete stop to avoid damaging the locking mechanism of the automatic transmission. Never shift into P gear while the car is in motion. Automatic transmissions have a P gear, which stands for Parking gear. They also have an N gear, which stands for Neutral gear. Both N and P gears can be used when parking. Generally, vehicles have five gears: P, R, N, D, and S. Below is an introduction to these gears: 1. P (Parking) gear, also known as the starting gear: When the car is parked and not in use, the gear should be in this position. At this time, the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. The vehicle must be completely stopped before using P gear; otherwise, the mechanical parts of the automatic transmission may be damaged. 2. R (Reverse) gear: Used for reversing. Never force the gear into R position before the vehicle has come to a complete stop, as this can cause severe damage to the transmission. 3. N (Neutral) gear: Used for temporary stops (e.g., at a red light). This gear indicates neutral. To prevent the car from rolling on a slope, always keep the brake pedal pressed. 4. D (Drive) gear: Used for normal driving on regular roads. 5. S (Sport) mode: When this gear is engaged, the gears can shift freely, but the shifting timing is delayed to keep the engine at high RPM for a period, thereby increasing the car's power. Using this gear will result in higher fuel consumption.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for several years, and this issue always makes me think every time I park. According to what experienced drivers taught me, you should first firmly stop the car by pressing the brake, then engage the electronic parking brake or mechanical handbrake, and only after the car is completely secured should you shift into P gear and turn off the engine. This is especially important when parking on a slope. Otherwise, if you directly shift into P gear, the entire weight of the car will be placed on the transmission's locking mechanism, which can wear out the parts over time. Once, I took a shortcut by shifting into P gear first on a slope in an underground garage, and when shifting gears later, I clearly felt a noticeable 'clunk' sound—probably caused by this very issue. On flat roads, it's less of a problem, but developing the habit of engaging the handbrake first is more reliable.
