How would you start the engine of an automatic transmission vehicle?
- Make sure the gear handle is in (D) and the hand brake is released.
- Correct answer: Make sure the hand brake is applied, and the gear selector is in (P) or (N).
- The selected gear is of no significance. Just make sure that the hand brake is not released.
- Make sure the gear selector is in (R) and the hand brake is released.
Why this is the answer
The correct answer in the official bank: Make sure the hand brake is applied, and the gear selector is in (P) or (N).
In an automatic vehicle, the engine is started with the gear selector in Park (P) or Neutral (N) and the hand brake applied, so the vehicle cannot move suddenly when the engine starts. Starting in Drive (D) or Reverse (R) with the brake released could make the car lurch unexpectedly and cause a crash. The hand brake alone is not enough, so the gear position matters too.