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

[VanLola]

The safest way to start an automatic transmission car is: press the foot brake, shift to D gear, release the handbrake before releasing the foot brake, and finally press the accelerator to start. For some automatic transmission models equipped with an electronic handbrake, it will automatically disengage when the doors are closed, seat belts are fastened, and the accelerator is lightly pressed while the engine is idling. Below is an introduction to automatic transmission cars: How the P Gear Works: The letter 'P' in P gear stands for 'Park,' meaning the parking gear. In any automatic transmission, when in P gear, a pawl mounted on the transmission housing engages with internal gears, locking the entire transmission's drivetrain components. This secures the car's entire drivetrain, preventing the vehicle from rolling if the handbrake is forgotten. Handbrake: The handbrake works by activating the braking system, which locks the wheels to keep the vehicle stationary. If you shift to P gear first and then engage the handbrake, the task of securing the vehicle falls on the transmission's pawl and gear engagement, meaning the internal moving parts of the automatic transmission are under tension. Conversely, if you engage the handbrake first and then shift to P gear, the entire braking task is handled by the braking system, with P gear only providing auxiliary braking. In this case, all internal moving parts remain completely relaxed.

[LeBennett]

I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and pay special attention to safety details. The sequence when starting is crucial for accident prevention. When your car is parked, it's usually in P (Park) gear with the parking brake engaged – these are the post-parking states. When preparing to start, never engage the parking brake or shift to P gear first, because P gear locks the transmission and is only used when ending your drive. The correct procedure is to first press the brake pedal, release the parking brake to free the wheels, then shift to D (Drive) gear before releasing the brake to start moving. This prevents sudden lurching forward or rolling backward, especially important when starting on slopes. I've developed a habit: after starting the engine, first check the parking brake status before shifting gears. It's worry-free and protects the vehicle. Beginners might forget at first, but with a few practices it becomes smooth – developing good habits makes driving more reassuring.

[JeffreyDella]

As a daily driver, I'm accustomed to the proper automatic transmission startup sequence to protect the gearbox. It's normal to park in P gear with the handbrake engaged, so you shouldn't immediately release the handbrake or shift from P to start after ignition. The standard procedure is to first disengage the handbrake to release the parking lock, then press the brake pedal while shifting to D gear to begin driving. Reversing this sequence—such as shifting to D without releasing the handbrake—forces the engine to work harder, wearing down brake discs and tires, leading to costly repairs over time. I once made this mistake on a steep slope, causing the car to shudder; now I always ensure the handbrake is released before shifting. Developing this small habit extends your car's lifespan and ensures smoother driving. Remember, P gear is designed solely for parking—startup movements should be swift and gentle.

[BenjaminAnn]

As a beginner, my instructor emphasized the sequence when learning to start an automatic transmission car. If your car is stationary with the gear in P (Park) and the handbrake engaged, you shouldn't operate them again during startup. Simply put, first release the handbrake to unlock the car, then press the brake pedal to shift into D (Drive) or R (Reverse) to back up, and finally gradually release the brake to start moving. P (Park) is the parking gear; starting in this gear won't move the car and can damage components. My habit is to check these things upon entering the car: after starting the engine, directly release the handbrake, shift gears, and go. Maintaining the wrong sequence might cause jerking, but now I find driving super easy.