Engaging the main/foot brake before starting your car???

Question

My wife and I have a difference in opinion here. Is it proper driving technique (for manual OR auto transmission cars) to engage the main/foot brake before starting your car? Here's an example. An automatic car has the hand brake on and is on a flat surface. You get into the car and start the engine. Is it proper to just shift from Park to Drive, dissengage the parking brake, then apply the gas? Or the second choice, press the foot brake first, start the car, disengage the parking brake, and then put the car into gear. Is one safer, better, or what's the general opinion out there?

Answer 1

A large number of modern automatics require you to hold down the foot brake before it will allow the engine to start.

You should never start the engine with the handbrake off (manual or auto) under any circumstances except when being 'bump-started'.

In an automatic it is good practice to engage Drive before you take the handbrake off and releasing the foot brake. That way the car cannot roll forward without your full control. (Autos do roll forward even if the engine is idling and there have been tragic instances of children, pets etc being run over by an 'idling' car).

Answer 2

Always put your foot on the brake when starting the car, putting it into gear at a stand still, regardless if the ebrake is pulled. Without doing so runs a greater risk of losing control (even if there's no feasable way of losing control) because we're human, and can err easily. Most newer vehicles it requires you to push the main brake before engaging the transmission, and on some higher end cars it won't even let you start the vehicle without the brake depressed.

Answer 3

In an automatic car, it is good practice (and some cars' electronic safety systems insist on it) that you press the brake when starting the engine.

In a manual car, it is good practice to check the handbrake, select neutral, and press the clutch while starting, to reduce the load on the starter motor.

My car (2003 Renault Mégane 1.9 turbodiesel, manual transmission) requires that you press either the clutch or the brake, or the engine will not start.

Answer 4

Generally its up to the operator as to how he/she decides to start and move their vehicle. Always use the parking brake no matter if the vehicle is standard or automatic. Never try to override the brake/park interlock feature either.

The only time I apply the brake while starting my vehicle is if I'm driving a standard shift vehicle. With an automatic I don't apply the brake other than to shift out of park, or from reverse to drive etc.

Answer 5

Safe habits are important. If you start your car with your right foot on the foot brake, whether manual or automatic, it won't move anywhere.
Besides, you can't shift from Park to any other gear without first applying the foot brake in an automatic. It just makes good sense.......or do you just want to be right? hahaha

Answer 6

You should always have control of your vehicle even when stopped, so foot on the brake, most new vehicles do not let you shift into drive without having a foot on the brake anyway. Modern cars with fuel injection specifically state, not to press the gas pedal when starting the vehicle even in cold weather.

Answer 7

It simply doe's not matter what transmission your car has got. The last thing you do before moving of is release the brake.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Depends on the car. My previous car, a ford had to dip the clutch to engage cold start but my new one , Honda, has to blip accelerator. Check with manual or manufacturer

Answer 10

Well i`m still a learner driver but my instructor has never told me to apply the footbrake before driving off.