Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift Gears First in an Automatic Transmission Car?
1 Answers
Shift gears first and then release the handbrake. The safest way to start an automatic transmission car is to first press the foot brake, then shift to D (Drive) gear, followed by releasing the handbrake before releasing the foot brake, and finally pressing the accelerator to complete the start. Some models use an electronic handbrake, which will automatically disengage as soon as the accelerator is pressed. Below is more information about the handbrake: 1. The handbrake primarily functions by activating the braking system to secure the vehicle. When starting, shifting gears before engaging the handbrake allows the car to start smoothly in a stable condition. 2. When parking, it is necessary to engage the handbrake first and then shift to P (Park) gear. In this scenario, the braking work is accomplished by the braking system, with the P gear mainly serving as an auxiliary function, allowing the internal components to remain completely relaxed, thereby better maintaining the car's parts and preventing excessive wear. 3. The gear positions in an automatic transmission are relatively simple: D (Drive) is for moving forward, R (Reverse) is for backing up, N (Neutral) is the neutral position, and P (Park) is the parking gear.
