* zhandros, the car i'm using allows shifting without stepping on the brakes, i can't remove the key unless it's in P tho. i would've done that also (shift to P then release brakes) but i read in this forum shifting to P should be last to make sure the vehicle's weight (specially if in slight incline) is carried by the handbrake and not the P setting... it's not indicated in the manual when to release the brakes.

*voltcastillo, got it, thank you for the tip re flooding. re shift shock, it's the new altis, the jerk feels like running over a small marble or a water hose, small jerk but you can feel it.

*lazyfoot, thanks for the tips. re engine braking, im trying to understand when and how to best apply this because it was especially pointed out in the manual as vs relying on brakes, that and that it's not advisable to shift to neutral while speeding (two things i did quite a lot on m/t).

thanks for the quick reply, guys.