When driving, should you shift gears first or pull the handbrake first?
2 Answers
When driving, you should shift gears first. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. In a car's transmission, both the P (Park) and N (Neutral) gears disconnect the power transfer between the input and output shafts. However, the difference is that the P gear has an additional pawl gear mechanism at the end of the output shaft. 2. The pawl is fixed to the transmission housing, while the gear is fixed to the end of the output shaft. When the transmission is shifted into P gear, the pawl is pressed down to engage with the gear, achieving a locking effect. At this point, both wheels cannot rotate in the same direction simultaneously, preventing the vehicle from moving forward or backward. 3. The principle of the handbrake stopping the vehicle is by clamping the rear brake discs, preventing the rear wheels from rotating. Mechanical cable-type handbrakes use a steel cable to pull the brake caliper, which then clamps the brake disc, while electronic handbrakes operate a servo motor on the brake caliper to clamp the brake disc.
This was something my driving instructor emphasized repeatedly when I was getting my license. When starting the car, you must first press the brake, shift to D or R gear, and then release the handbrake. When parking, the sequence is reversed: press the brake, shift to N gear, engage the handbrake, and finally shift to P gear before turning off the engine. In an automatic car, releasing the handbrake before shifting gears can cause the car to lunge forward suddenly, which is extremely dangerous. Manual transmissions require even more attention—shifting gears before releasing the handbrake on a slope prevents the car from rolling back. Last week, my neighbor was in a hurry and released the handbrake first while reversing, ending up hitting an iron barrel by the wall. Developing the right habits is crucial—safety is no small matter.
