Should You Press the Brake When Starting the Engine?
3 Answers
For automatic transmission vehicles, you need to press the brake when starting the engine. For manual transmission vehicles, you should press the clutch to start. Some manual cars can be started directly by turning the key without pressing the brake or clutch if they are in neutral. Benefits of pressing the brake when starting: 1. Enhanced braking: Pressing the brake helps improve the vehicle's braking capability. Some parking slopes are too steep, requiring the use of the handbrake + gear method. If you press the clutch when starting, the car might roll due to insufficient handbrake effectiveness. Pressing the brake at this moment can prevent rolling. 2. Preventing accidents: It avoids situations where you forget to park in gear and start without pressing the clutch, which could cause the car to lurch forward and lead to an accident. Pressing the brake when starting in gear can instantly stall the engine, preventing accidents.
Having driven for over a decade, I've noticed that starting an automatic transmission car while pressing the brake pedal actually depends on the situation. For regular compact cars like Japanese models such as the Corolla or Sylphy, you can start the engine without pressing the brake. However, German brands like Volkswagen and Audi won't start at all unless you press the brake. From a safety perspective, developing the habit of pressing the brake when starting is particularly important. Last month, my neighbor's car rolled and hit a wall precisely because they didn't press the brake when starting. Mechanically speaking, this prevents the gear lever from accidentally shifting into Drive (D) position and causing sudden vehicle movement. Moreover, most newer car models now come with brake interlock functionality. When starting the car, keeping your right foot on the brake pedal also allows you to conveniently check if the brake lights are functioning properly. This small action can truly prevent major troubles at critical moments.
As a driving instructor, I emphasize this point every day. Starting an automatic transmission car requires stepping on the brake! This is a fundamental safety operation. If the brake sensor switch under the steering wheel isn't pressed, the gear lock simply won't release. I've personally witnessed students turning the key without pressing the brake, resulting in grinding transmission gears. Especially when starting on a slope, failing to press the brake during ignition can cause the vehicle to roll backward. Although some older models allow starting without pressing the brake, the new national standards have long mandated the installation of gear shift locking devices. Remember these three steps every time you get in the car: press the brake, shift to N gear, and start the engine. Making this a muscle memory ensures safety.
