What is the correct sequence between the handbrake and gear shift?

[MacEloise]

Here is the introduction to the correct sequence between the handbrake and gear shift: 1. When starting: When starting the car, you should first engage the gear and then release the handbrake. 2. When parking: When parking, you should first apply the handbrake and then shift to neutral. Below is extended information explaining the specific reasons: 1. Starting: The reason for engaging the gear before releasing the handbrake when starting is to prevent the car from rolling backward. If you release the handbrake first, the car will be in neutral for a period before engaging the gear. Additionally, when starting, you may not know if the ground is level. If it is inclined, the car in neutral may roll backward, potentially causing an accident. 2. Parking: When parking, after bringing the car to a complete stop, you should first apply the handbrake and then shift to neutral. This ensures the car remains stationary to the greatest extent. This is because many people tend to release the clutch and brake after shifting to neutral. If the gear is not correctly shifted to neutral or the parking spot is on a slope, the car may move. However, for automatic transmission cars, when parking, you can directly shift to P (Park) and then apply the handbrake.

[StLeo]

When I first started driving, I was also confused about the sequence of using the handbrake and shifting gears when parking, until my instructor taught me the standard procedure: first step on the brake to stop the car completely, then pull up the handbrake to secure the wheels, and finally shift into P (Park) gear. Remember, in an automatic transmission car, this protects the gearbox because if you shift into P gear first, the wheels not being secured might pull on the internal locking hook and cause damage. Manual transmission cars are different—when parking on a slope, you should pull the handbrake and then shift into first or reverse gear to prevent rolling, while on flat ground, you can directly shift into neutral. I once made the mistake of shifting gears first in a parking lot, and the car got stuck when starting, requiring a costly repair. Developing good habits starts with safety—always ensure you pull the handbrake before moving the gear lever, especially on rainy or snowy days when it's even more critical.

[LeDakota]

Having driven for 30 years, I never mess up the parking sequence: first pull the handbrake, then shift to P gear. The same goes for manual transmissions—only engage the gear after the wheels are secured. The reason is simple: once the handbrake is engaged and the tires are locked, the transmission won’t bear any pressure, extending component lifespan. On slopes, if you shift to gear first, especially the automatic P position, the locking hook could be damaged by the weight of the tires. Beginners often make this mistake, leading to costly repairs—I’ve seen a neighbor replace their transmission because of it. In daily operations, don’t mix up the sequence when starting: press the brake, shift gears, then release the handbrake to keep the car stable, ensuring peace of mind, cost savings, and safety.

[HeidiFitz]

With over a decade of car repair experience, I emphasize always engaging the parking brake when parking. For manual transmissions, apply the handbrake to secure the wheels first, then shift into gear for additional braking. In automatic transmissions, shifting into P first without securing the wheels may cause wear or breakage of the parking pawl, leading to costly repairs. Developing this habit helps protect your transmission's lifespan.