What is the correct sequence of operations for parking an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
The correct parking sequence for an automatic transmission car is as follows: Press the foot brake to stop the car, shift the gear from D to N, engage the handbrake and turn off the engine, press the foot brake again, shift the gear from N to P, and then release the foot brake. Below are some precautions for driving an automatic transmission car: 1. Normal roads: There are no specific requirements for the gear; you can drive normally by keeping the car in D gear. 2. Reversing: After pressing the brake to stop the car from moving forward, you can shift to R gear. Gently releasing the brake will allow the car to move in reverse. 3. Parking or waiting: When parking or driving in congested traffic, you can shift to N gear.
Every time I park my automatic transmission car, I follow this simple sequence: first, firmly press the brake to stop the car, then immediately shift to P (Park) to lock the transmission, followed by engaging the handbrake or electronic parking brake as a precaution, and finally turning off the engine before leaving. On flat ground, I sometimes skip the handbrake out of laziness, but forming the complete habit is safer—especially on slopes where carelessness is not an option. Once, while traveling in the mountains, I parked on a slope relying only on the P gear without the handbrake, and the car slightly rolled. Fortunately, I reacted quickly and avoided an accident. That lesson stuck with me: when parking on a slope, firmly press the brake, engage the handbrake to secure the wheels, shift to N (Neutral) to confirm no rolling, then switch to P before turning off the engine. This prevents the transmission from bearing the weight and protects the car. Double-checking before and after parking is key—similar steps apply when starting the car: press the brake, ignite the engine, shift to D (Drive), and then proceed. Developing these habits makes daily driving much smoother. I always share this routine with friends learning to drive—safety comes first, after all.
I always pay attention to details when parking to ensure safety: Once the car is completely stopped, firmly press the brake to prevent any movement; immediately shift into P (Park) to stabilize the powertrain; then be sure to engage the parking brake or electronic brake, which is especially crucial on slopes. After completing these steps, turn off the engine. Key point for parking on slopes: First, come to a complete stop and engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle. Then shift to N (Neutral), gently release the brake to test if the car moves, and only shift to P (Park) and turn off the engine once safety is confirmed. This prevents pressure on the transmission and avoids long-term damage. When starting the car, follow the standard procedure: Press the brake to start the engine, shift directly to D (Drive), and drive away. Some beginners rely solely on P (Park) without using the parking brake, which can lead to problems over time. Remember, keeping the car stationary is key—don’t neglect this even during short stops. Developing good habits reduces maintenance issues, and I often remind myself to operate slowly and carefully without rushing.
