Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift Gears First When Starting?
4 Answers
When starting the vehicle, you should first shift into gear and then release the handbrake. For automatic transmission vehicles, the starting procedure is as follows: press the foot brake, shift into D gear, release the handbrake, then release the foot brake, and finally press the accelerator to start. For manual transmission vehicles, the starting method is: use your right hand to shift into 1st gear, slowly lift the clutch pedal with your left foot to the biting point, gradually release the parking brake lever with your right hand, while gently pressing the accelerator pedal with your right foot to add throttle. After the car moves 3 to 4 meters, release the clutch pedal with your left foot, and use your right foot to increase speed to normal driving speed. Driving precautions: Avoid keeping the clutch in a semi-engaged state for extended periods. Some drivers habitually keep their left foot on the clutch while driving, believing it provides better control. However, this practice significantly damages the clutch disc, especially during high-speed driving, as prolonged semi-engagement can cause rapid wear of the clutch disc.
As a veteran driver with nearly 20 years of manual transmission experience, my routine is to press both the clutch and brake first before starting the engine, then shift into first gear. At this point, I gradually release the brake with my right foot while gently pressing the accelerator. When I feel the car's front slightly lift with a tendency to move forward, I fully release the handbrake. Hill starts require this method even more—releasing the handbrake abruptly can cause rollback, so proper coordination between the accelerator and clutch is crucial for a smooth start. Beginners should avoid copying experienced drivers who sometimes start by coasting in neutral, especially on steep slopes where rollback risks rear-end collisions. I've seen too many novices stall due to fumbling during handbrake transitions—it's safer to wait until the accelerator is steadily engaged before releasing the handbrake.
Last month, while accompanying my cousin for his driving test practice (Subject 3), I realized many people lack solid basic operation skills. The instructor repeatedly emphasized the manual transmission starting mantra: "Clutch in, shift to first, signal, honk, release handbrake, check mirrors, lift clutch." Start by fully depressing the clutch and brake to ignite the vehicle, then shift to first gear. Before releasing the handbrake, always confirm the red handbrake indicator on the dashboard is off. Pay special attention: when parking on flat ground with the handbrake engaged, the gear must be shifted back to neutral. However, before starting to move, you must shift into gear first before releasing the handbrake, otherwise it's easy to stall the engine. I remember the instructor saying old trucks would roll downhill if the handbrake was released without being in gear. Although modern passenger cars won't be as severe, developing correct operation sequences helps prolong transmission lifespan.
Last week, while helping my sister debug her new car, I noticed the details. Automatic transmission is much simpler: press the brake with your right foot, push the ignition button, shift to D gear, and the dashboard will prompt you to release the parking brake. Then, just lower the electronic handbrake and step on the gas to go. But manual transmission requires special attention to the operation sequence: after a cold start, wait for the RPM to stabilize → press the clutch all the way down and shift to first gear → release the handbrake while simultaneously easing the clutch to the biting point → immediately give it some throttle. Once, I forgot to release the handbrake and drove half a kilometer, and the rear wheels started smoking. Remember, when the handbrake isn't fully released, the dashboard will light up with an exclamation mark icon. Developing the habit of glancing at the dashboard before starting is crucial.
