Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift to Neutral First When Parking?

[VanHadley]

The correct parking method is to shift to neutral first and then engage the handbrake, which is the most proper procedure for parking and turning off the engine. Hold down the car's brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Place the manual gear lever in the neutral position. Pull up the vehicle's handbrake to prevent it from sliding on the road. Turn the car key to the OFF position, which shuts off the engine and the vehicle's power supply. At this point, the dashboard lights will go out, indicating that the vehicle's power is completely off. The professional term for the handbrake is auxiliary brake, and its principle differs from that of the main brake. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to stop the car. Prolonged use of the handbrake can cause plastic deformation of the steel cable, which is irreversible. Over time, this reduces its effectiveness and increases the handbrake's travel distance. The handbrake also has a return spring. When the handbrake is engaged, the spring stretches; when released, it returns to its original length. Long-term use of the handbrake can cause the spring to deform accordingly.