What gear should be engaged when parking on a downhill slope?
4 Answers
When parking on a downhill slope, engage neutral gear and firmly apply the handbrake. Alternatively, you can shift into first gear and firmly apply the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. For automatic transmission vehicles, first firmly apply the handbrake and then shift into P (Park) gear. Automatic transmission vehicles have P (Park) and N (Neutral) gears, both of which can be used when parking. The P (Park) gear is used when parking and turning off the engine, while the N (Neutral) gear is used for short-term parking without turning off the engine. When P (Park) gear is engaged, the locking mechanism locks the transmission gears, effectively locking the wheels indirectly. Even without applying the handbrake, the car will not move. The N (Neutral) gear does not have a locking mechanism, so if the handbrake is not applied after shifting into N (Neutral), the car may roll.
I am always very cautious when parking on a downhill slope. For manual transmission vehicles, it's essential to engage the reverse gear and firmly pull up the handbrake to utilize the engine's braking resistance and prevent the car from rolling. For automatic transmission vehicles, first fully depress the brake pedal, then activate the electronic parking brake or pull up the mechanical handbrake, and finally shift into P (Park) gear. This is because shifting directly into P gear can cause the transmission gears to lock up, potentially damaging the locking mechanism over time. Remember, when parking on a steep slope, it's best to place stones behind the tires, especially when driving a heavy vehicle or when the road is slippery after rain. Once, I forgot to engage the gear when parking on a mountain road, and as soon as I got out of the car, I noticed it slowly sliding. I was so scared that I quickly jumped back into the car to correct the mistake, and I've never been careless about it since.
The biggest fear when parking downhill is the car rolling away. My usual practice involves three steps: For manual transmission cars, shift into reverse gear before turning off the engine (some cars can also use first gear), while pulling the handbrake to its tightest position. For automatic transmission cars, first bring the car to a complete stop, firmly pull up the handbrake, and only after the vehicle is fully secured, shift into P (Park) gear. The principle is simple: shifting into gear acts as a second lock for the car, utilizing the engine's internal resistance for added safety. If it's an icy or snowy road, it's advisable to additionally place anti-slip boards in front of the drive wheels. Experienced drivers know that relying solely on the handbrake can lead to failure due to cable fatigue, a common repair case often seen at inspection stations.
When I first started driving, the instructor repeatedly emphasized: when parking on a slope, you must engage a gear! For manual transmissions, shift into reverse gear, and for automatic transmissions, you must engage the parking brake before shifting to P. Because in neutral, the braking force relies entirely on the brake pads, and heat fade can lead to reduced braking performance. I remember once borrowing a friend's car parked on a slope in the neighborhood. He was used to shifting directly to P without engaging the handbrake, which resulted in wear and deformation of the transmission pawl, costing over three thousand to repair. Now, when I park, I make sure to feel if the vehicle has come to a complete stop. I engage the handbrake until I hear the ratchet click five times before feeling at ease. If I rent a car with an electronic parking brake, I hold the button until the dashboard displays a red warning light to ensure it's properly engaged.
