Should You Engage the Parking Brake or Shift Gears First in an Automatic Transmission Car?
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When driving an automatic transmission car, it is generally recommended to shift gears first and then release the parking brake. Here are the reasons: Some cars may be parked on a slope. If you release the parking brake first, the car might roll forward or backward, which is quite dangerous. Shifting into gear first and then releasing the parking brake is a relatively safer approach. When shifting gears, move quickly from P to D to avoid passing through R, which can cause a backlash and harm the transmission. Below are some precautions regarding gear shifting and releasing the parking brake when starting: Reversing the order of shifting gears and releasing the parking brake is not a major issue, but you must ensure the brake pedal is pressed. Also, always remember not to forget to release the parking brake—starting with the parking brake engaged can easily burn out the brake pads.