Parking is a problem that every driver has to face, but did you know that the sequence of operations when parking will affect the safety and life of the vehicle? Many people are accustomed to putting the P gear first and then pulling the handbrake after parking, thinking that this can protect the gearbox and prevent the vehicle from sliding. In fact, this is risky, because the P gear only relies on a small locking pin to fix the output shaft of the gearbox, and if the vehicle is impacted by external forces, the locking pin may break, causing the vehicle to lose control. Moreover, if the vehicle is parked on a ramp, the pressure in P gear will be high, which is not conducive to the next shift.
So, what should the correct parking sequence look like? Actually, many vehicles have a function that can help us park properly, and that isElectronic parking brake system(Electronic Parking Brake, EPB). EPB is an electronically controlled handbrake that applies or releases the parking brake automatically or manually depending on the state of the vehicle. Compared with traditional handbrakes, EPB has the following advantages:
Easy to operate: EPB only needs to press a button to achieve parking brake or release, no need to pull the handbrake lever effortlessly, and do not have to worry about the handbrake not being tight enough or too tight.
Intelligent: The EPB can be connected with other electronic systems of the vehicle to achieve intelligent functions, such as automatic parking, hill assist, emergency braking, etc., to improve the safety and convenience of the vehicle.
Space-saving: The EPB's buttons are generally located on the center console and take up very little space, which can add more storage space or aesthetic design to the car.
With the EPB, we can operate in the following order when we park:
Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a steady stop.
Press the EPB button to put the vehicle into the parking brake state.
Release the brake pedal and the vehicle will not slide at this point because the EPB has locked the wheels.
Engage the P gear to lock the gearbox as an aid to the parking brake.
Turn off the engine, pull out the key, and complete the parking.
With such a sequence, we can effectively protect the gearbox from accidental damage to the vehicle and also extend the service life of the vehicle. Of course, if your vehicle doesn't have an EPB function, you can also park in a similar order, just with the traditional handbrake instead of the EPB button. In conclusion, remember one thing,When parking, pull the handbrake first, and then hang the P gearis the right choice.