Do you need to engage the handbrake every time you park?

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Just putting the car in gear 'P' should be enough. Do I really need to pull the handbrake every time I park?

It's believed that many people think this way, that just shifting to gear 'P' is enough to park the car, and there's no need to pull the handbrake, especially when parking for just a short while.

But in reality, Motorist recommends engaging the handbrake every time you park because:

• For safety: While gear 'P' does keep the car stationary, pulling the handbrake ensures the car stays in place and prevents it from rolling and hitting other vehicles.
• To preserve the transmission: Simply putting the car in gear 'P' is not enough to stop the car as effectively as the handbrake. Using the handbrake reduces the strain on the transmission system, extending the life of its components and preventing premature wear.
• To prevent accidents: If you park on a slope or if there are other vehicles behind you on an incline, pulling the handbrake reduces the risk of your car rolling into other vehicles or causing unexpected accidents."

Therefore, you should always engage the handbrake when parking for your safety and the safety of others, and it also helps extend the lifespan of your car. However, in the case of double parking, you shouldn’t pull the handbrake, so that others can easily move your car if needed.

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