What are the steps for starting and stopping an automatic transmission car?
4 Answers
Automatic transmission starting and stopping steps are as follows: 1. Turn the ignition key to the power position, allowing the car's computer system to begin self-checking for at least 6 seconds or more. Then, press the foot brake and shift the gear from P to N (if reversing, start the engine directly in P gear). 2. Release the foot brake, turn the ignition key to the start position to ignite the engine (determine the warm-up time based on different car models and ambient temperatures, but avoid sudden acceleration and braking under low-temperature conditions). 3. Press the foot brake, release the handbrake, and shift the gear from N to D (if starting on a slope, to prevent rolling back, you can first shift from N to D, lightly press the accelerator, slowly release the handbrake, and then smoothly start). Slowly release the foot brake to start, and then smoothly press the accelerator to speed up according to the road conditions.
I'm very familiar with the parking and starting procedures for automatic transmission cars, having driven for over a decade. Starting must be done step by step: First, sit in the driver's seat and fasten the seatbelt, press the brake pedal with your foot, then press the start button or turn the key to ignite. Wait for the engine to run stably and the dashboard lights to display normally before shifting the gear lever to the D position to prepare for moving forward. At this point, if the parking brake is electronic, it will release automatically; otherwise, release it manually, then slowly release the brake to start the car. Parking is even simpler: After the car comes to a complete stop, first shift to N gear to give the transmission a moment to relax, then firmly engage the parking brake to ensure the vehicle is secured—especially on slopes to prevent sliding—before finally shifting to P gear, turning off the engine, and powering down. This sequence protects the car's core components, avoiding unnecessary wear. I remember once when I was in a hurry and shifted to P gear without engaging the parking brake; the car slightly moved on a slope in the parking lot, which gave me a scare. Since then, I've strictly followed the steps. Developing good habits makes driving more reassuring—safety is the most important thing.
I just learned to drive an automatic car recently, and the process is super simple and convenient. The first step to start the engine is to press the brake pedal, allowing the car to recognize the state before pressing the button to ignite the engine. Once the car idles steadily and all the dashboard lights come on, you can shift the gear lever to D (Drive). The electronic parking brake will release automatically, while a mechanical one needs to be manually lowered before slowly releasing the brake pedal to move off gently. When parking, remember to come to a complete stop first, shift to N (Neutral) to buffer, then engage the parking brake to lock the wheels—this prevents accidental movement, especially useful on slopes or slippery roads. Finally, shift to P (Park) and turn off the vehicle. This whole operation takes just a few seconds. I drive to work every day and find it much more hassle-free, with safety always coming first—my instructor always emphasizes not to skip steps to avoid trouble. With a bit more practice in city driving, you'll get the hang of it quickly. Beginners shouldn't worry; it's easy to pick up.
Every day when picking up and dropping off my kids, I handle the automatic transmission parking and starting swiftly. To start the car, I sit down, press the brake, ignite the engine, wait a few seconds for it to stabilize, check the surroundings for safety, then shift to D gear, release the handbrake, slowly lift the brake, and drive off. When parking, after the car comes to a complete stop, I first shift to N gear to prevent rolling, pull the handbrake to secure the car, and finally shift to P gear, turn off the engine, and remove the key. This routine is smooth and safe, saving time so I don’t panic even if the kids are in a hurry. On slopes, I double-check by pulling the handbrake first. These steps become easy habits, not troublesome at all, ensuring a safe and happy drive.
