Should You Release the Handbrake or Shift to D Gear First When Starting an Automatic Transmission Car?
1 Answers
When starting an automatic transmission car, first shift to D gear and then release the handbrake. It is essential to keep the brake pedal pressed. The order can be reversed without major issues, but it is crucial not to forget to release the handbrake. Starting with the brake pedal pressed can easily burn out the brake pads. If you're a beginner and not yet accustomed to the process, you can release the handbrake first to avoid forgetting it after starting. Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission car, the most important step when starting is to shift into gear first and then release the handbrake. The handbrake serves as the final safety measure. Only after fully engaging the gear and before moving should you release the handbrake—this practice is very safe. When shifting gears, move quickly from P to D to avoid passing through R, which can cause a backlash and harm the transmission. If you engage the gear but do not release the handbrake, all the power output from the engine will be absorbed by the torque converter, causing its temperature to rise sharply. Prolonged exposure to this condition can burn out the torque converter. For dual-clutch transmissions, after engaging the gear, the clutch friction plates will remain in a semi-engaged state. Prolonged semi-engagement can lead to burning out the friction plates, so it's necessary to start moving as soon as possible. Generally, if you don't press the brake pedal before starting an automatic transmission car, it can negatively impact the vehicle's transmission and gear structure. This effect is even more pronounced when the car is parked on an incline.
