Should You Shift Gear or Release the Handbrake First When Starting an Automatic Car?
3 Answers
When starting an automatic car, you should release the handbrake first. The correct method for starting and stopping an automatic car is as follows: 1. Power on the entire vehicle, press the foot brake to ignite, shift to D gear, release the handbrake, and then release the foot brake to start; 2. Press the foot brake, shift to N gear, engage the handbrake, release the foot brake, and then turn off the engine and shift to P gear to park. Precautions for shifting gears in an automatic car: 1. Ensure the gear is in N or P position before igniting, and remember to press the brake when igniting; 2. Gear shifting should be timely, accurate, decisive, and quick—avoid being sluggish; 3. Upshift after accelerating and downshift after decelerating; 4. Use D gear when driving on flat and straight roads; 5. No need to press the shift button when switching between N, D, and L gears.
My usual habit when driving an automatic transmission is to first press the brake to start the engine, then shift into D gear before releasing the handbrake. This operation is particularly stable, especially when starting on a slope, as it completely prevents the car from rolling back, making it very beginner-friendly. I remember when I first started driving, I tried releasing the handbrake first, and the car rolled back half a meter on the slope in the neighborhood, which scared me into slamming the brakes. Additionally, many new cars now come with an auto-hold function, which can be triggered by pressing the brake pedal firmly. In this case, you can directly shift gears and press the accelerator to go, and the handbrake will automatically release, which is very convenient. However, for older models, it's better to manually release the handbrake, otherwise driving with the handbrake on can severely damage the brake pads.
From my personal experience, the correct starting sequence should be: First fasten the seatbelt and start the ignition, firmly press the brake pedal with your right foot, then shift to D gear, release the handbrake, and finally gradually release the brake to start moving. This procedure is well-designed because in automatic transmissions, power is already transmitted to the wheels when shifted to D gear, and releasing the brake allows the car to creep forward. If you press the accelerator without releasing the handbrake, the front of the car will suddenly dip but won't move, and the dashboard will light up a warning. I've seen many customers at 4S shops with abnormal brake pad wear, all caused by driving with the handbrake engaged for long periods. A special reminder: if parked on a steep slope, it's best to lightly press the accelerator before releasing the brake to prevent rolling back.
