Adjust your seat and mirrors and fasten your seatbelt. When you get into the driver’s seat, make sure your right foot can firmly press the accelerator and the brake all the way to the floor. Adjust your seat if you need to, then check your mirrors for visibility. Then, fasten your seatbelt.
- Take a look around the cabin and familiarize yourself with the car’s layout. This gives you a chance to locate the different indicator lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and other features while the car is stationary.
- If you can’t find something you feel like you’ll need, don’t be afraid to look in the car’s manual (it’s usually in the glove box—if not, you can probably find a digital copy online).
2. Push the brake pedal down with your right foot. Safety first! Some automatic cars will start even if you don’t have your foot on the brake pedal, but many won’t. You still want to do it every time. This helps you make extra sure that the car isn’t going anywhere.
3. Turn the key or push the button to start the car. Don’t take your foot off the brake as you start the engine. Now that you’re running, do another check around you—turn on the headlights if you need to, connect your phone, set the climate controls, whatever you need to do to maintain comfort and stability while you’re on the road.
4. Shift the car into D or R to leave the parking spot. Push in the lock button—it’s usually on the side or the top of your shifter. Then, move it from P (park) to D (drive) if you need to go forward, or R (reverse) if you need to back out. You’ll feel the shifter click when you line it up with the right gear. Let go of the button and you’re good to go.
[3] - Take your hand all the way off the shifter—especially while driving. If you’re used to driving a stick, you probably rest your hand on the shifter a lot. You don’t need to shift gears at all while you’re driving!
5. Release the parking brake before you start driving. The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift. Press the button on the end of the lever to lower it so it sits flush. Make sure you don’t take your foot off the brake! With the parking brake off, the car will start rolling as soon as you release the parking brake.
- In some cars, especially trucks and SUVs, the parking brake is a pedal on the floor. You’ll typically push the pedal to release it, unless there’s a separate brake release lever next to it.
- Put your car in gear before you release the parking brake. This reduces unnecessary wear and tear on your transmission because you aren’t relying on it to hold your car in place. It’s especially important if you happen to be parked on a hill.
2. Push the brake pedal down with your right foot. Safety first! Some automatic cars will start even if you don’t have your foot on the brake pedal, but many won’t. You still want to do it every time. This helps you make extra sure that the car isn’t going anywhere.
3. Turn the key or push the button to start the car. Don’t take your foot off the brake as you start the engine. Now that you’re running, do another check around you—turn on the headlights if you need to, connect your phone, set the climate controls, whatever you need to do to maintain comfort and stability while you’re on the road.
4. Shift the car into D or R to leave the parking spot. Push in the lock button—it’s usually on the side or the top of your shifter. Then, move it from P (park) to D (drive) if you need to go forward, or R (reverse) if you need to back out. You’ll feel the shifter click when you line it up with the right gear. Let go of the button and you’re good to go.[3]
5. Release the parking brake before you start driving. The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift. Press the button on the end of the lever to lower it so it sits flush. Make sure you don’t take your foot off the brake! With the parking brake off, the car will start rolling as soon as you release the parking brake.
