Should You Shift Gears or Release the Handbrake First When Parking?

[Helen]

For manual transmission cars, to prevent rolling, it is standard practice to shift into gear before releasing the handbrake. For automatic transmission cars, there is no need to shift into gear when parking, although many automatic cars support gear shutdown; the first step is to firmly engage the handbrake. Parking steps: Parking: When preparing to pull over, always signal in advance to alert vehicles behind and pedestrians nearby. Check the rearview mirror to ensure no one is there before choosing to park. Shifting Gears: Without releasing the brake, shift into N (Neutral) gear, then engage the handbrake and release the brake. Turning Off the Engine: Turn off any unnecessary electrical devices in the car. Rotate the key counterclockwise to the end, or press the one-touch start/stop button to move the ignition switch to the OFF position.