Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift to P First When Parking an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
When parking an automatic car, if on a flat surface, you can either engage the handbrake first or shift to P first; if parking on a slope, you should engage the handbrake first and then shift to P. If you shift directly to P without engaging the handbrake, releasing the brake will cause the car to lurch forward or backward, making it difficult to start and shift gears again. The P gear, as the parking gear, has a certain parking braking force. The locking mechanism consists of a parking lock with locking teeth and a parking lock gear with teeth. When parking, shifting into P pushes the pressure plate down, causing the locking teeth to engage and the transmission drive wheels to lock, stopping the car.
As an automotive enthusiast, I believe the key to automatic transmission parking sequence is protecting the gearbox. The correct procedure is to engage the handbrake first, wait until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, then shift to P (Park). Especially when parking on slopes, shifting directly to P may cause slight vehicle movement, putting extra stress on transmission gears which can lead to wear or even damage over time, resulting in costly repairs. Having driven multiple automatic vehicles including modern models with electronic parking brakes, I've found adhering to this sequence prolongs component lifespan. On flat surfaces you can be more flexible, but developing this habit is safer. Remember: after stopping completely, keep your foot on the brake, engage the handbrake, then shift to P, and finally turn off the engine. Additional reminder: regularly check your parking brake tension to ensure proper functionality and prevent accidental rolling that could cause accidents.
