Should You Release the Handbrake or Shift Gears First When Parking?
2 Answers
When parking, you should shift gears first and then release the handbrake. The correct steps for parking an automatic transmission vehicle are: 1. Press the foot brake to stop the car; 2. Shift the gear from D to N; 3. Engage the handbrake and turn off the engine; 4. Press the foot brake and shift the gear from N to P; 5. Release the foot brake; 6. Turn the key back, turn off the power, and remove the key. The correct sequence for parking a manual transmission vehicle is: 1. Turn on the right or left turn signal; 2. Lightly press the brake to reduce speed, observe the right rearview mirror, and drive to the right; 3. When the speed is relatively low, press the clutch pedal, and pay attention to the surrounding distance when parking; 4. Once the car is stationary, shift to neutral, turn off the turn signal, engage the handbrake, and turn off the engine.
When parking, it's generally recommended to engage the handbrake first before shifting gears to prevent the car from moving unexpectedly and causing danger. My practice is: first press the brake to ensure the car is completely stopped, then pull the handbrake to secure the wheels, followed by shifting to neutral or an appropriate gear (such as reverse or first gear on a slope to prevent rolling), and finally turn off the engine. When starting, the sequence is reversed: after ignition, press the clutch and shift to first gear, confirm it's safe, then release the handbrake to start moving. This sequence is especially important on steep slopes because engaging a gear can assist the handbrake in stabilizing the car and reducing the risk of rolling. I once tried shifting gears without promptly engaging the handbrake on a mountain road, and the car slid slightly, almost causing a scrape—it was quite frightening. Developing this habit makes driving more reassuring and also protects the transmission from additional load.
