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

[VonSarah]

When parking an automatic transmission car, it is acceptable to either engage the handbrake first or shift to P first. If parking on level ground, neither sequence will cause damage to the vehicle's transmission, as it mainly depends on personal parking habits. However, when parking on a steep slope, it is recommended to follow this sequence: press the brake, shift gears, engage the handbrake, turn off the engine, and then shift to P. This method minimizes the impact on the transmission. An automatic transmission eliminates the need for the driver to manually shift gears, as the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Typically, an automatic transmission car has six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.