Should You Shift Gear First or Release the Handbrake First?
3 Answers
Shift gear first and then release the handbrake. More relevant information is as follows: 1. After starting the car, press the clutch, shift into gear, and ensure the foot brake is engaged. Observe the surroundings before releasing the handbrake. This provides double safety, preventing accidents such as loss of control or rolling. Therefore, whether it's an automatic or manual transmission, always shift into gear first. Once all preparations are complete, release the handbrake to ensure safe driving without any risks. 2. The operational mantra for starting and driving a car is: 'Press, shift, steer, honk, release, lift, move, return.' 'Press' refers to pressing the clutch, 'shift' means shifting into gear, 'steer' is aligning the steering wheel, 'honk' means sounding the horn before driving, and 'release' refers to releasing the handbrake.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I can tell you that in most cases, you should shift into gear before releasing the handbrake, especially on slopes. This effectively prevents the car from sliding and causing danger. Think about it—if you release the handbrake first, the car might suddenly roll away, particularly on rainy days or when parked on an incline. I once forgot the correct sequence in a parking lot, and my car rolled backward, nearly hitting a wall. Fortunately, I reacted quickly and avoided an accident. Additionally, for automatic transmission cars, after starting the engine, shift into D or R gear to let the transmission prepare the power, then gradually release the handbrake for a smoother and more stable operation. Manual transmission cars follow a similar principle—engaging the gear before releasing the handbrake helps protect the clutch and reduce wear. In short, making this a habit ensures safer and more worry-free driving. After all, safety comes first.
I'm a new driver who just got my license. My instructor always emphasizes that the driving sequence must not be messed up—you must shift into gear first before releasing the handbrake. During hill starts in driving lessons, if I mistakenly release the handbrake first, the car always rolls back, and the instructor immediately stops me, saying it's too dangerous and could even cause the engine to stall. It's even more noticeable in automatic cars: when you shift into gear before releasing the handbrake, the vehicle responds immediately without moving. The same applies to manual cars, especially when waiting at traffic lights—shifting into neutral and then releasing the handbrake can easily cause the car to roll. I've tried different methods myself and found that following the correct sequence makes the driving process much smoother, reducing a lot of unnecessary scares. My friends all say that forming this habit from the beginning can avoid many troubles later, such as making it easier to control the car in crowded parking lots.
