Should You Shift Gear or Engage Handbrake First in an Automatic Transmission?

1 Answers
LillianAnn
07/29/25 6:06pm
When starting a car with an automatic transmission, you should shift the gear first and then engage the handbrake. The safest way to start an automatic transmission car is to first press the foot brake, then shift to D (Drive) gear, release the handbrake followed by the foot brake, and finally press the accelerator to complete the start. Some models are equipped with an electronic handbrake, which automatically disengages when the accelerator is pressed. Here is more information about the handbrake: 1. The handbrake primarily functions by activating the braking system to secure the vehicle. When starting, shifting the gear first and then engaging the handbrake allows the car to start in a stable condition. 2. When parking, you should engage the handbrake first and then shift to P (Park) gear. In this scenario, the braking work is performed by the braking system, while the P gear mainly serves as an auxiliary function, allowing the internal components to remain fully relaxed, thereby better maintaining the car's parts and preventing excessive wear. 3. The gear positions in an automatic transmission are relatively simple: D (Drive) is for moving forward, R (Reverse) is for backing up, N (Neutral) is for the neutral position, and P (Park) is for parking.
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