Should You Shift Gears or Release the Handbrake First When Starting an Automatic Transmission Car?
1 Answers
When starting an automatic transmission car, shift gears first and then release the handbrake. This is primarily for safety considerations. In practice, releasing the handbrake before shifting gears has no impact on starting the vehicle; the car will still start normally. The recommended sequence is to ensure the vehicle does not move unintentionally and to avoid unnecessary complications. Generally, vehicles have five gears: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), and S (Sport). Below are the relevant details: 1. P (Parking) – Parking/Starting Gear: Used when the vehicle is parked and not in use. In this position, the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. The vehicle must be completely stopped before engaging P gear to avoid damaging the automatic transmission's mechanical components. 2. R (Reverse) – Reverse Gear: Used for reversing. Never force the gear into "R" before the vehicle has come to a complete stop, as this can severely damage the transmission. 3. N (Neutral) – Neutral Gear: Used for temporary stops (e.g., at a red light). This gear disengages the transmission, but the brake pedal must be pressed to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope. 4. D (Drive) – Forward Gear: Used for normal driving on roads. 5. S (Sport) – Sport Mode: In this mode, gears can be freely switched, but the shift timing is delayed to maintain higher engine RPMs for increased power. However, this mode increases fuel consumption.
