Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift to Neutral First When Parking?
3 Answers
When parking, you should engage the handbrake first and then shift to neutral. The correct parking sequence is: 1. After pulling the handbrake, the car will be secured; 2. Shifting to neutral ensures the car won't move or stall when the engine is running; 3. Releasing the clutch first prevents the car from moving if the clutch is released without shifting to neutral, especially when the handbrake isn't engaged and the brake pedal isn't pressed; 4. After turning off the engine, shift into first gear to prevent the car from moving in case the handbrake cable breaks or the slope is too steep, as the first gear's teeth will lock the car in place. The handbrake, professionally known as an auxiliary brake, operates differently from the main brake system. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle.
The parking sequence is crucial, with safety being the top priority when applying the handbrake. My habit is to firmly pull the handbrake first after the car comes to a complete stop, then shift into neutral or Park (P). This way, the vehicle's weight directly presses on the handbrake system, with the brake pads locking the rear wheels, ensuring the car absolutely won't roll. Especially when parking on a slope, if you shift gears before applying the handbrake, the slight movement of the car during the shift can make the transmission gears bear the full impact, leading to potential damage over time. I've seen many older cars with transmission noises caused by this. The handbrake system is specifically designed for parking—it's durable and inexpensive. If it fails, you might just need to replace the brake pads, but a damaged transmission is costly to repair. Developing this habit also reduces the risk of accidental rolling, particularly during rainy or snowy conditions when the roads are slippery, making it even more important to pay attention.
As someone who frequently helps others inspect cars, I've observed different vehicle structures. Although automatic and manual transmissions operate differently, the core principle remains the same: secure the vehicle body before handling the transmission. Manual transmission cars lack a P (Park) gear; if you shift to neutral without immediately engaging the handbrake, the wheels can lose power and slide slightly. While the P gear in automatic transmissions can lock the transmission gears, the small hook structure has limited load-bearing capacity. I recommend breaking down the parking steps as follows: stop the car with the foot brake → engage the handbrake → shift into the appropriate gear → release the foot brake. This sequence ensures the handbrake system bears most of the vehicle's weight, leaving the transmission largely stress-free. Especially during summer heat or winter cold starts, when metal components expand or contract, engaging the handbrake first can prevent the locking mechanism from seizing.
