Should You Engage the Handbrake or Shift to P Gear First When Parking?
3 Answers
When parking, it is acceptable to either engage the handbrake first or shift to P gear first. The P gear is the parking gear, which is used when parking and turning off the engine. Every automatic transmission car has a P gear. There are three common types of automatic transmissions in automatic cars: AT transmission, CVT transmission, and dual-clutch transmission. The structure of a dual-clutch transmission is similar to that of a manual transmission, except that it has an additional set of clutches and a gear-shifting control mechanism. One set of clutches in a dual-clutch transmission controls the odd-numbered gears, while the other set controls the even-numbered gears. Dual-clutch transmissions offer fast gear-shifting speeds and relatively high transmission efficiency.
When I first started driving, I also struggled with this. Applying the handbrake first is more reliable. After stopping and holding the brake, directly pull the handbrake to lock the wheels, then shift to P gear without the car shaking. Shifting to P gear actually uses the transmission gears to lock the drive shaft. If the car rolls slightly on a slope, the entire weight presses on the gears, causing a clunking sound. I've seen experienced mechanics repair transmissions—if the pawl components are deformed under long-term stress, the repair cost could buy ten packs of cigarettes. On flat ground, the difference might not be noticeable, but developing the habit of applying the handbrake first is definitely correct, especially for friends driving automatics—don’t be lazy.
After three decades behind the wheel, I've learned parking sequence is no trivial matter. Once on a slope, I forgot the proper order and shifted directly to P, leaving the gearstick jammed tight when retrieving the car - the transmission nearly got wrecked. Remember this principle: the handbrake makes the tires bear the load, while P gear locks the driveshaft. If you engage P first on an incline, the vehicle's entire weight rests on those tiny parking pawls. Metal under constant stress will eventually deform, and dismantling the center console for repairs is no minor job. Flat ground is more forgiving, but risking major damage to save three seconds simply isn't worth it.
