5 Ways to Neutralize an Automatic Car When Parallel Parking
For beginners who have an automatic car, it is usually confusing how to neutralize the car when parking. In fact, parking an automatic car is very easy to do. Follow the discussion below until the end, okay!
Using a car for daily activities is inseparable from the process of parking the car. Whether it is at the office, mall, or roadside. Often, this parking process makes your heart race if you are not used to parking a car.
When parking the car, there are several things you need to pay attention to. You should not use the handbrake if the parking area is not on an incline.
Using the handbrake when parking the car will inconvenience others, and of course, you will be sought by the parking attendant when you want to move your car. The wisest way is to neutralize the car when parking.
Read Also: How to Park a Car Safely Without Damaging the Automatic Transmission
How to Park an Automatic Car in Neutral
Neutralizing an automatic car when parking can be quite difficult for those trying it for the first time. This usually happens because you are nervous or afraid of failing.
However, you can follow the steps below to make it easier to neutralize the automatic car when parking.
1. Move the Gear Lever to Position P
The first thing you need to do is position the gear lever from D to position P. The function of moving the gear lever to P is to ensure that the car engine can be turned off completely.
You should not immediately change the position to N. If you go directly to position N, the engine will indeed turn off, but the electronic system in the car will still be on. The effect is that you cannot lock your car from the outside.
2. Activate the Handbrake
After moving the gear lever from D to P, the next step is to turn off the car engine with the engine stop button and then activate the handbrake. By using the handbrake, it functions to prevent the car from moving while you shift the lever from position P to position N.
3. Activate Shift Lock
The next step is to activate the Shift Lock. The Shift Lock feature in some cars is in the form of a small button. While in other cars, it is a hole where you need to insert a key and then press to activate this Shift Lock feature.
Shift Lock functions to allow you to shift from position P to N. If you do not activate this Shift Lock function, the gear lever will be locked in P and cannot be moved to position N.
4. Move the Gear Lever to Position N
After you have activated the Shift Lock feature, the next step is to simply slide the gear lever to position N. How? The lever is not locked, right?
5. Deactivate the Handbrake
When the lever is in position N, do not forget to deactivate the handbrake. Position the handbrake in a non-braking condition. You can then leave your car and lock its doors.
If you are still unsure about that position, you can try pushing your car. If the steps you took are correct and nothing is missed, the car should be easily pushed.
Read Also:Reasons Why Parking a Car's Tires Must Be Straight for Driving Comfort
Tips for Neutralizing a Car on an Incline or Decline

Ideally, parking a car should be done on flat ground. However, occasionally you will encounter parking spaces that are slightly inclined or declined.
You can still use the tips for neutralizing the car above, adding to it by chocking your car's tires with stones so that your car does not roll away. You can look for stones around the parking area or ask for help from the parking attendant on site.
That is how to neutralize an automatic car when parking that you can practice. For other tips and tricks, you can continue to follow the latest articles on the official Daihatsu website.