Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift to Neutral First When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?

[AaliyahLynn]

For automatic transmission cars, shift to P (Park) first and then engage the handbrake. Below is relevant information about automatic transmissions: 1. Transmission Types: There are primarily two types of automatic transmissions used in vehicles. One is the stepped automatic transmission, and the other is the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The most commonly used in passenger cars is the mechanical CVT, which utilizes a V-shaped metal belt or chain to transmit torque between the driving and driven pulleys' V-shaped grooves. This transmission method is typically employed in smaller vehicles. 2. Operational Characteristics: When driving a modern automatic transmission car, the driver only needs to control the accelerator pedal. The computer analyzes signals from various sensors, such as engine throttle opening and vehicle speed, to automatically control gear shifts or engage different gears. Generally, automatic transmissions result in some power loss from the engine. The greatest advantage of automatic transmission vehicles is convenience, especially in heavy traffic or when facing uphill stops, where their benefits become even more pronounced. With the increasing popularity of automatic transmission cars, most vehicles in advanced automotive markets are transitioning to fully automatic transmissions. The replacement of manual transmissions by automatics as the primary choice for daily driving represents a trend in automotive development.

[Will]

I've been driving for over 30 years, and there's really a proper sequence to follow when parking. In automatic transmission vehicles, what concerns me most before turning off the engine is protecting the transmission. For example, when parking on a slope, if you directly shift to P (Park), the car may slide slightly, causing the parking pawl to lock abruptly, which can potentially damage the transmission. So, I always make sure to bring the car to a complete stop with the brake pedal pressed, then engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle before shifting to P and turning off the engine. On level ground, the sequence isn't as critical, but developing good habits never hurts. I remember when I first started driving, the manual also emphasized this, stating it helps prolong the transmission's lifespan. In daily parking situations, shifting to neutral (N) is typically only used when waiting at traffic lights—just temporarily shift to N, and whether to engage the parking brake depends on the situation. In short, safety comes first to avoid any incidents of the car rolling away unexpectedly.