Do you apply a parking brake before or after a park?
In general, you should secure the vehicle with the parking brake after you’ve come to a complete stop, and then shift into Park for automatics. On steep hills, set the parking brake first to prevent any rollback, then shift into Park or into gear. On level ground, either order is acceptable, but the parking brake should remain engaged as a final hold before you exit. This approach helps protect the transmission and provides an added layer of security.
Automatic transmissions: parking on level ground
When parking an automatic on level ground, follow these steps to maximize security and minimize drivetrain stress.
- Come to a complete stop with the foot brake.
- Shift the gear selector to Park (P).
- Engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine and remove the key (if applicable).
Using Park first with the parking brake as a backup is a common and effective routine on level surfaces, providing a strong secondary hold in case one system fails.
Hills and inclines: extra precautions
On slopes, the parking brake should be set before shifting to Park to prevent the car from rolling backward while you change gears.
- Stop with the foot brake at the base of the incline.
- With the foot on the brake, fully engage the parking brake.
- Shift the automatic to Park (P) only after the parking brake is engaged.
- Turn off the engine.
OnInclines the parking brake provides the primary hold, reducing the risk of rollback when you finalize the parking process.
Manual transmissions: additional considerations
Manual transmission vehicles require a combination of parking brake and gear selection to stay secure after parking.
- Stop with the foot brake, depress the clutch, and shift into first gear (or reverse on a steep incline).
- Engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine and leave the car in gear to help prevent movement; you may release the clutch once the engine is off.
Manual cars rely on both the parking brake and the engaged gear to prevent movement, especially on imperfect surfaces or if a brake system were to fail.
Summary
Across most driving situations, the parking brake should be used when you stop, with the exact order depending on the grade:
On level ground: you can either shift to Park (or gear) first and then engage the parking brake, or engage the parking brake first and then shift—either approach provides a solid hold. On hills: apply the parking brake before shifting to Park/gear to prevent rollback. For manual transmissions: always use the parking brake in conjunction with a gear to secure the vehicle when parked. The overarching goal is to ensure the car is immobilized before you exit.
