Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift Gears First When Driving?
3 Answers
For manual transmissions, you should shift into gear first before releasing the handbrake. This is to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward if parked on a slope—releasing the handbrake first could cause the car to roll, but shifting into gear first ensures it stays in place. For automatic transmissions, the order doesn't matter as much; you can either shift into gear or engage the handbrake first, as long as safety is ensured. Here’s an introduction to manual and automatic transmissions: 1. A manual transmission uses a manual gear-shifting mechanical transmission (also called a manual gearbox, MT) to adjust the vehicle's speed. This means the driver must manually move the gear lever to change the gear engagement inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed changes. 2. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to shift gears manually. The vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions.
When you start driving, I believe the standard procedure is to release the handbrake first before shifting gears. Back when I was learning to drive, my instructor emphasized stepping on the brake to start the engine after getting in the car, then immediately releasing the handbrake to ensure the car is stable, especially on slopes to prevent rolling. Only then should you shift to D or R gear to start moving. If you shift gears before releasing the handbrake, the car might suddenly move when you release the brake pedal, risking collisions or transmission damage—especially with manual transmissions, where releasing the handbrake first protects mechanical parts. Developing this habit saves fuel and hassle. I’ve seen a friend shift gears without releasing the handbrake, causing the car to roar wastefully and trigger alarms—how embarrassing! Driving is all about attention to detail; never overlook safety precautions.
After decades of driving, I've developed the habit of releasing the handbrake before shifting gears to avoid unnecessary risks. After starting the engine, I immediately disengage the handbrake to release the vehicle from the braking state, then shift into drive while keeping the foot brake pressed. Why this sequence? Slopes are the main concern—keeping the handbrake engaged before shifting ensures the car remains stable. If you shift first and then release the handbrake, the car might lurch forward on a slope, risking an accident. The same logic applies to manual transmissions: releasing the handbrake before shifting while coordinating with the clutch ensures smoother operation. By the way, newer cars with electronic handbrakes release automatically, but developing good manual habits in older cars helps prolong their lifespan. Safety outweighs speed—following the right sequence every time makes driving more reassuring.
