Driver splits opinion after sharing how she applies handbrake with people divided over the right way to do it

A short video about handbrake use in automatic cars has sparked controversy online.

In the clip, the driver questions whether applying the handbrake after selecting Park is the wrong way to do it.

Online responses have ranged from firm advice to outright criticism.

And all the attention has raised a simple question that most drivers rarely stop to consider.

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The handbrake debate drivers keep arguing about

The TikTok video itself is straightforward.

The driver explains that she parks by putting the car into Park and then applying the handbrake.

She says she has always done it this way, but recently heard that it might be incorrect.

That simple admission was enough to set off a wave of responses.

Many commenters insisted the handbrake should be applied first.

Others suggested that doing it the other way puts strain on the gearbox, especially when parked on an incline.

Others disagreed just as strongly.

They pointed out that the car remains stationary either way and questioned whether the concern was being overstated.

As the comments grew, the discussion shifted from habit to perceived mechanical risk.

At the centre of it all was a common fear.

Drivers worry that a small mistake, repeated over time, could quietly damage their car.

So, what’s the right way to do it?

The idea that applying the handbrake after selecting Park will harm the gearbox has been around for years.

It often comes from well-meaning advice passed between drivers rather than from real-world failures.

There is some logic behind it.

When a car is parked on a slope, it can settle slightly once the brake pedal is released.

That movement can be felt later when shifting out of Park. For some drivers, that sensation is enough to suggest something is under stress.

What often gets lost is context.

Modern automatic cars are designed with this exact scenario in mind.

Parking on inclines is not an edge case. It’s part of everyday use.

Gearboxes in modern cars are far more durable than many people assume. They are built to handle the load of holding a stationary vehicle, even on a hill.

The systems involved are not fragile or easily damaged by normal parking habits.

In cars from brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and BMW, the driver often does not choose a sequence at all.

Press the engine stop button, open the door, and the car automatically selects Park and applies the handbrake on its own.

That does not mean caring for a car is pointless. Good habits still matter.

Applying the parking brake is important, and using it consistently is the right thing to do.

It does mean that some precautions go beyond what is necessary.

In most cases, selecting Park and then applying the handbrake is not doing harm.

It is simply one of several acceptable ways to park an automatic car.

Looking after a car does not always mean adding extra steps. Sometimes it means understanding what the car is already built to handle.

In this case, the stress many drivers worry about is well within the limits modern cars are designed for.

So, it should come as a relief to this driver that what she’s doing isn’t wrong at all.

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