Should You Press the Brake When Shifting Gears in an Automatic Transmission?
3 Answers
When shifting gears in an automatic transmission, you should press the brake. Precautions for using an automatic transmission car: 1. Keep the car in D gear when parking for a long time; 2. Shift to N gear when coasting at high speed or downhill; 3. Start the engine in gears other than P or N; 4. Push-start the engine; 5. Increase throttle to shift to a higher gear. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. The gear positions in an automatic transmission car, from top to bottom, are: 1. P (Park); 2. R (Reverse); 3. N (Neutral); 4. D (Drive); 5. S (Sport mode); 6. L (Low gear).
I remember that stepping on the brake is a must when shifting gears in an automatic car—safety first. If you shift directly to D or R without braking, the car might unexpectedly lurch forward or backward, potentially hitting objects or people. I’ve seen such accidents before, and it was terrifying. Most modern car designs are smart, requiring you to press the brake to unlock the gearshift mechanism and prevent mishandling. Developing this good habit is crucial, especially in parking lots on slopes or crowded areas. I’ve been driving for twenty years myself, and I always press the brake when shifting—never had an issue, and it also protects the transmission from damage due to sudden impacts.
I believe pressing the brake when shifting gears is a fundamental rule, especially for beginners. When I first learned to drive, I didn't press the brake while shifting, and the car suddenly moved, giving me a cold sweat. Since then, my friend taught me to always press the brake because it prevents the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. In automatic transmission cars, you must press the brake to shift out of Park (P), otherwise the car might lurch forward. Developing this habit can prevent dangers, such as accidentally bumping the gear lever while parking in a residential area. After sticking to this practice for years, driving has become safer and smoother.
