The “Parking” position may be limited if the car is parked on a level surface. The sequence for parking a car on a slope is as follows: stop with the brake pedal, apply the handbrake and place the selector in the “P” position.
The fact is that when you activate the “P” mode on models with automatic transmission, the axle connected to the wheels is locked. On a slope, this system is subjected to considerable force: “The latch is loaded with great forces and it is very difficult to disengage it. If the latch is operated with a cable, then it is pulled out and the solenoid may not work. There is not enough force to unlock it,” the expert explained.
The evidence base that refusing to use the handbrake shortens the life of the automatic transmission is extremely small, but it is better not to risk it, because repairing the transmission in the current condition can not only be financially expensive, but also require a lot of time.
