Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift Gears First When Starting an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
The safest way to start an automatic transmission car is: press the foot brake, shift to D gear, release the handbrake before releasing the foot brake, and finally press the accelerator to start. For some automatic transmission models equipped with an electronic handbrake, the handbrake will automatically disengage when the doors are closed, seat belts are fastened, and the accelerator is lightly pressed while the engine is idling. Below are some related details: 1. Regardless of the type of automatic transmission, when in P gear, the pawl installed on the transmission housing engages with the internal gears, locking the entire transmission's drive components, thereby securing the entire drivetrain of the car to prevent rolling if the handbrake is forgotten. 2. The handbrake works by activating the braking system, which locks the wheels to secure the vehicle. If you shift to P gear first and then engage the handbrake, the task of securing the vehicle is undertaken by the transmission's ratchet and gear engagement. Conversely, if you engage the handbrake first and then shift to P gear, the entire braking task is handled by the braking system, with P gear only serving as an auxiliary brake, leaving all internal moving parts in a completely relaxed state.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for many years, and I always follow a fixed sequence when starting: first, I firmly press the brake to ensure the car is stationary, then shift from P to D. At this point, the car is ready, and only then do I slowly release the handbrake or let the electronic parking brake disengage automatically. This approach has its benefits—it prevents the car from rolling on slopes or when turning. I remember when I first started driving, I had this bad habit: I'd release the handbrake but forget to shift into gear, and the wheels would move slightly, almost hitting a wall. Developing this habit has made driving safer and more worry-free. Automatic transmissions are designed to simplify operations, but don’t think that convenience means you can be careless. Different cars have different types of parking brakes—older models have manual lever handbrakes, while newer ones have electronic systems that release automatically when shifting. Establishing the right routine makes it easy to handle and also extends the lifespan of the braking and transmission systems, avoiding unnecessary wear. After all, safety is no small matter—taking things step by step is always the right approach.