Should You Engage the Handbrake First or Shift to Neutral First?
2 Answers
In real-life situations, the principle to follow is to engage the handbrake first and then shift to P (Park) when parking. Reasons for engaging the handbrake before shifting to P: This is because the handbrake is more secure than the P gear. In a car's transmission, both P and N (Neutral) gears disconnect the power transmission between the input and output shafts. However, the difference is that the P gear has an additional pawl and gear mechanism at the end of the output shaft. The pawl is fixed to the transmission housing, while the gear is fixed to the end of the output shaft. When the transmission is shifted into P, the pawl presses down and engages with the gear, achieving a locking effect. At this point, both wheels cannot rotate simultaneously in the same direction, preventing the vehicle from moving forward or backward. Consequences of using only P gear: However, if you attempt to push the car while it is only in P gear, you will notice that the vehicle can be slightly moved. This is due to the significant engagement gap between the pawl and the gear. Additionally, the P gear's pawl and gear mechanism has a self-protection feature—when the pushing force reaches a certain level, the pawl will disengage to avoid damaging the transmission. Therefore, the P gear is not as reliable as the handbrake.
When parking, I always engage the handbrake first before doing anything else, which is a habit from a safety perspective. If you shift to neutral first while the car hasn’t fully stabilized, it might roll slightly, especially on slopes—which can be dangerous. Imagine if the road is slightly inclined and the car moves just enough to hit another vehicle or object—that could lead to a serious accident. I once saw a friend neglect this, and their car rolled half a meter, hitting a fence, resulting in costly repairs. So, I recommend stopping completely, immediately engaging the handbrake to secure the car, then shifting to neutral and turning off the engine. This also reduces stress on the transmission and extends component lifespan. Regularly check the handbrake’s tension—don’t pull it too loosely. For automatic cars, the logic is similar: brake firmly first, then shift gears. Safety always comes first—don’t skip steps for convenience. Once this habit is formed, driving becomes more reassuring, saving you from potential troubles.
