My husband and I have an ongoing debate about when it is necessary to use the parking brake and if there are any adverse effects on the car itself if one never uses the parking brake for normal parking situations on completely flat streets. Obviously, when parking at any angle (even the slight slant…

Using your parking brake on a level surface helps keep the rear brakes adjusted on some models (Does yours have rear drum brakes?), and it acts as a back-up in case the transmission’s parking pawl ever fails to hold the vehicle. Even on seemingly level surfaces, your car can roll away. Once you ge…

If you live in an area prone to corrosion, or you plan to keep the car for a long time, using the parking brake occasionally even on flat terrain will prevent the system from corroding. Yes, it is a good idea to use it occasionally even if you never park on inclines. You need not ALWAYS use it when…

No damage from not using it. I bet most folks don’t in that situation.

Well, so far, my husband will be pleased to read! I drive a 2009 Jeep Patriot and he a 2010 Ford Fusion. We also live in Phoenix, which is terribly flat, dry, and exempt from most weather. I figure I’ll probably damage the car more in the long run by USING the parking brake and then forgetting to t…

If this is something you’re prone to do, you could always make an orange tag that you can hang on your steering wheel that says “remove parking brake” and use it when you use the brake. As long as you remove it before driving away it’ll do no harm whatsoever to use it. In my car, which uses teeny d…

Even if you’re on flat ground, you can damage the pawl in the transmission if, say, the car is bumped while parked. Occasionally the e-brake isn’t used in winter to prevent the brakes from freezing in the on position…but you’re in AZ. So, use of the e-brake won’t hurt anything, may well save wear …

This is called HABIT, not OCD. one less thing to run off the ‘check list’ in you mind… do I need to do this or that? do I not need to. check check Having his action rooted in habit is just fine as long as YOUR habit is to always release the park brake.

In any car with an automatic transmission, the parking brake should be engaged while the car is in drive or neutral, before the car is put into park, on any grade or even on level ground. It should be a habit that every driver has ingrained into his or her brain. Engaging the parking brake prevent…

can your vehicle even move while the parking brake is engaged? I remember trying to get my Civic moving one day, thinking I was stuck in some snow, but realized that the parking brake was engaged. Once I set it down, the car was able to move freely.

Marriage Debate - Using the Parking Brake!

Maintenance/Repairs

tardis November 2, 2010, 6:45pm 3

You should always use the parking brake. If the parking pawl in the transmission ever fails, then the parking brake is the only backup that you have. Also, the parking brake prevents the car from moving slightly and putting pressure on the parking pawl that could cause damage or cause the transmission to be stuck in park.

Topic		Replies	Views
Using the parking brake - necessary? Maintenance/Repairs	39	6633	December 30, 2011
Parking Brake - Use it? Maintenance/Repairs brakes	15	1864	August 13, 2008
Proper use of the parking brake in a manual Maintenance/Repairs audi , a3	11	10840	June 2, 2010
Parking Brake General Discussion	11	1093	May 8, 2012
Parking/emergency brake Maintenance/Repairs	42	2978	April 25, 2008

Marriage Debate - Using the Parking Brake!

Related topics