Should You Engage the Parking Brake or Shift to P First in an Automatic Transmission?
3 Answers
In an automatic transmission, you should shift to P first and then engage the parking brake. Below is relevant information about automatic transmissions: Types of Transmissions: There are mainly two types of automatic transmissions used in vehicles. One is the stepped automatic transmission, and the other is the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The most commonly used in passenger cars is the mechanical CVT, which utilizes a V-shaped metal belt or chain to transmit torque between the driving and driven pulleys. This transmission method is typically used in smaller vehicles. Operational Characteristics: In modern automatic transmission vehicles, the driver only needs to control the accelerator pedal. The computer analyzes signals from sensors that detect the engine throttle opening and vehicle speed, automatically controlling gear shifts or engaging different gears. Generally, automatic transmissions result in some power loss from the engine. The greatest advantage of automatic transmission vehicles is convenience, especially in traffic jams. The benefits are even more pronounced when encountering uphill traffic congestion. Nowadays, automatic transmission vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. From the perspective of advanced automotive development countries, most vehicles are transitioning to fully automatic transmissions. The trend in automotive development is for automatic transmissions to replace manual transmissions as the primary choice for daily driving.
The parking sequence is quite important. Having driven for twenty years, I believe safety comes first. When parking an automatic transmission vehicle, it's best to first press the brake to bring the car to a complete stop, then shift to Neutral (N), followed by firmly engaging the handbrake to ensure the vehicle is securely immobilized, and finally shift into Park (P). The reason for this is that if you shift directly into P, especially on a slope, the car might slightly jolt, putting extra pressure on the locking mechanism inside the P gear, which over time can damage the transmission. I once forgot the sequence while parking on a steep slope, and the transmission made some clicking noises, costing me a hefty repair bill later. Since then, I've made it a habit: stop, N, handbrake, P, then turn off the engine. This sequence works for any terrain, whether flat or on a slope, protecting the vehicle and reducing repair risks, making for a more worry-free drive.
I often help friends with car repairs. From a mechanical perspective, the parking sequence should protect the transmission. The P (Park) gear uses a pawl to lock the gear, but if the car is still moving, forcing it to bear the weight can easily cause wear. The recommended procedure is: after braking to a complete stop, immediately shift to N (Neutral) gear, let the handbrake or electronic brake hold the car first, and then finally press the P gear. This distributes the force and avoids unnecessary wear. Whenever I see cases of early automatic transmission failure, inspection reveals that many are due to incorrect parking sequences by the owners. This operation is even more critical on steep slopes, where sometimes adding a wheel chock or turning the steering wheel for assistance is better. In short, developing good habits can save you from costly repairs.
