When parking, should I shift gears first or release the handbrake first?

[TravisLee]

Shift gears first and then release the handbrake. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Reason: When starting the car, you don't know if the ground is level. If it's inclined, releasing the handbrake first will leave the car in a neutral coasting state, causing the vehicle to roll in the direction of the slope without any braking, which can easily lead to safety hazards. 2. Handbrake: Its professional name is auxiliary brake. Unlike the principle of the main brake, it uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. Long-term use of the handbrake can cause plastic deformation of the steel cable. Since this deformation is irreversible, prolonged use will reduce its effectiveness, and the handbrake's travel distance will also increase.

[Harley]

After driving for over a decade, I've learned this lesson well. Never reverse the parking sequence, especially with automatic transmissions. After firmly pressing the brake, first shift to Neutral (N) to let the transmission rest, then decisively engage the handbrake to secure the vehicle. Don't release the foot brake immediately - check if the car shows any tendency to roll. Only after confirming stability should you press the brake, shift to Park (P), and turn off the engine. Once on a slope, I forgot the handbrake and shifted directly to P - the transmission gears groaned ominously. The mechanic warned that doing this regularly could damage the transmission mount. Manual transmissions follow a simpler procedure, but always apply the handbrake before shifting to gear. Now it's muscle memory - after every parking, I instinctively rock the car to verify it's securely stopped.

[VanMary]

Let's talk about the principle of the drivetrain. When the vehicle is stationary, the center of gravity is entirely on the driveshaft. Directly shifting into P gear will force the locking mechanism to bear the entire weight of the vehicle. The correct operation is to shift into neutral to relieve the force on the driveshaft, allowing the electronic parking brake or mechanical handbrake to handle the stationary load. I once tested the transmission pressure in the lab: when the handbrake is applied first, the force on the P gear ratchet is reduced by 80%. Always remember to straighten the steering wheel before parking to avoid leaving the steering system under suspended stress. Finally, don't forget to check the dashboard to confirm the handbrake light is on, especially when driving a new car with an automatic parking function—extra careful inspection is necessary.

[VonRiver]

This is what the instructor yells about the most during driving lessons. He says getting the sequence wrong could lead to minor issues like rolling or scratches, or even worse, transmission failure. The basic steps are super simple: 1) Stop with the foot brake - 2) Shift to N (Neutral) - 3) Pull the handbrake hard - 4) Release the foot brake to let the car settle - 5) Shift to P (Park) - 6) Turn off the engine. There are slight variations for different cars, like making sure the gear lever is fully engaged in column shift models, or hearing at least 6 clicks for mechanical handbrakes to ensure enough force. It's also recommended to get into the habit of using the handbrake when stopping at red lights in N gear—last time, I almost got rear-ended because the foot brake wasn't fully pressed and the car rolled.