Should You Engage the Gear First or Release the Handbrake First When Driving?

[DelMatthew]

Engage the gear first and then release the handbrake. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. Primarily for safety considerations, engaging the gear connects the power transmission route of the transmission. 2. When the gear is first engaged, the transmission is in first gear, where the torque is at its maximum. If the brake is not properly applied, the car may suddenly lurch forward. After engaging the gear, the handbrake should be released promptly to start moving. Below is some extended knowledge about the handbrake: 1. The handbrake, professionally referred to as an auxiliary brake, operates differently from the main brake. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. 2. Prolonged use of the handbrake can cause the steel cable to undergo plastic deformation. Since this deformation is irreversible, long-term use can reduce its effectiveness and increase the handbrake's travel distance. 3. The handbrake system also includes a return spring. When the handbrake is engaged, the spring is stretched, and when the handbrake is released, the spring returns to its original length.