Should You Engage the P Gear or Pull the Handbrake First When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
When parking an automatic transmission car, you can choose either to pull the handbrake first or engage the P gear first. If parking on a flat surface, neither method will cause damage to the vehicle's transmission, and it mainly depends on personal parking habits. Below is some relevant information about automatic transmission cars: 1. If parking on a steep slope, you can use the method of stepping on the brake, shifting gears, pulling the handbrake, turning off the engine, and then engaging the P gear, which has minimal impact on the transmission. 2. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. 3. Generally, automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.
As someone who has been driving for over 20 years, I often encounter questions about parking sequence. The correct method is to engage the handbrake first before shifting to P (Park), because after the handbrake securely locks the wheels, shifting to P protects the transmission gears from impact. Especially when parking on slopes, if you shift to P first, the pressure from vehicle slippage will entirely bear on the gears, which can lead to part damage over time and even result in costly repairs. After developing this habit, whether on flat ground or steep slopes, parking becomes much safer. I recommend ensuring the car is completely stationary and the foot brake is firmly pressed before each parking operation—this practice can extend your car's lifespan and reduce unnecessary troubles. Additionally, it's important to regularly check the handbrake's tension to avoid the risk of rolling, as these small details add up to save you both worry and effort.
