What is the parking sequence for an automatic transmission with an electronic handbrake?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission with electronic handbrake parking sequence is: 1. Press the foot brake to stop the car; 2. Shift the gear from D to N; 3. Press the electronic handbrake and turn off the engine; 4. Release the foot brake, do not turn off the power; 5. Press the foot brake again, shift the gear from N to P; 6. Release the foot brake and turn the key back; 7. Turn off the power and pull out the key. Notes for shifting gears in an automatic transmission car: 1. Make sure the gear is in N or P before starting the engine, and press the brake when starting; 2. Gear shifting should be timely, accurate, decisive, and quick, avoid dragging; 3. Upshift after acceleration, downshift after deceleration; 4. Use D gear for driving on flat roads; 5. No need to press the shift button when switching between N, D, and 3 gears.
I've been driving for over ten years, and here's the correct sequence for parking with an automatic transmission and electronic handbrake: After the car comes to a complete stop, first shift to N (Neutral), then engage the electronic handbrake, release the foot brake to let the car's weight fully rest on the handbrake – you'll feel the car settle slightly – then shift to P (Park) and turn off the engine. This procedure prevents stress on the transmission's parking pawl, especially crucial when parking on steep slopes. Some people take shortcuts by shifting directly to P, which can lead to long-term gear damage. Don't forget to turn off the AC and headlights before shutting down. In summer, I also lift the wiper blades to prevent rubber deterioration. Developing these habits can save significant repair costs.
My car comes with an electronic parking brake, and the parking sequence is quite simple: after coming to a complete stop by pressing the brake, just pull up the electronic parking brake button on the center console. A 'click' sound indicates it's engaged, then shift into P and turn off the engine. This method is perfectly sufficient on flat ground. However, in a downhill parking lot like at a shopping mall, I first shift to N, engage the parking brake, wait for the car to stabilize, and then shift to P. Remember to straighten the steering wheel and align the wheels after parking to prevent constant stress on the suspension system. A colleague of mine had to replace their shock absorbers prematurely because they parked crookedly for a long time. Many new cars now come with autohold, but it's best to manually confirm that the parking brake indicator is on before leaving.
