Should You Engage the Parking Brake or Shift Gears First in an Automatic Transmission?
1 Answers
In an automatic transmission, you should engage the parking brake first before shifting gears. The correct procedure for using an automatic transmission is: 1. After getting into the car, shift the gear lever into the starting gear; 2. Sound the horn, turn on the turn signal, and simultaneously observe the front, sides, and rearview mirrors to check for any pedestrians or vehicles approaching from behind; 3. Check for any obstacles that might hinder starting, paying special attention to safety; 4. Firmly hold the steering wheel, activate the left turn signal, and release the parking brake lever. The reason for shifting gears before releasing the parking brake when starting is to prevent the vehicle from rolling. If you release the parking brake first, the vehicle will be in neutral for a period before shifting into gear. Moreover, when starting, you may not know if the ground is level. If it's inclined, the car in neutral could roll backward, potentially causing an accident.