Handbrakes on automatic transmissions cars

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
So on "Car Talk" radio today, a woman called up and was asking Click and Clack about whether the handbrake needed to be applied after parking a car with automatic transmissions. Apparently, her husband has always driven manual transmissions and always used it. She, on the other hand, always drove cars with automatic transmissions and never used the handbrake. Obviously, after her husband drives the car, he'll apply the handbrake. Well, when she goes to drive the car, she'll start driving and wonder why the car is driving slower until she realizes the handbrake is still applied. Anyways, she wanted to force her husband to stop using the handbrake and was seeking reinforcement on her position that the handbrake is only to be used in case of emergency.

My question is, is it really that hard to check? I mean, nowadays there's even a brake light on the dashboard that tells you if your handbrake is applied. Grrr...
 
R

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
Woman driver.....says it all. They ruin many a rear brake setup because they are too daft to check for the parking brake. If a woman drives your automatic car regularly you are money ahead just not every applying the parking brake. It really is not necessary with an automatic transmission anyway. People who tell you the parking pawl inside the transmission can break.......have NEVER been inside an automatic transmission obviously. Their chance of breaking is almost non existent.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Her reason for not checking is the same as his for applying the break - habit.

At least (most) automatic drivers aren't stupid enough to forget to set the brake on a manual - if they can even drive a manual.
 
mrSHEiK124

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
My mom warped the ever loving crap out of the brake rotors on her Quest because she always applies the e-brake (it's a pedal) just enough to barely engage it but still enough to make the light come on; she'll drive for 5 or 10 minutes before realizing the brakes are on too.

EDIT: When I apply the e-brake in my Altima, usually because I'm parked on an incline, I make sure to apply it fully, that way if I happen to put it in reverse or drive, the car doesn't budge and I realize my mistake.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,354
10,880
136
If I park an automatic car on a steep incline I'll set the parking brake, but most of the time I don't bother because its not needed.
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Like others have said, even if it's an automatic I set the parking brake because it's automatic for me since all I drive is manuals. Everyone hates me for doing it when I drive their cars.
 
Whoozyerdaddy

Whoozyerdaddy

Lifer
Jun 27, 2005
19,216
1
61
Growing up in Alaska you learn to NEVER set the parking brake. (Not if you want to go anywhere the next day)

 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
I always set the parking brake. I always heard that it wasn't good to have the car stopped on the transmission? Not sure if that's even mechanically correct but that's my reasoning. It's not very hard to check, theres a red light that comes on when the brake is engaged
 
C

Cristatus

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2004
3,908
2
81
The worst is if you car has a similar to that of Mercedes, where the handbrake is actually a foot pedal. That way, you can't even see from looking around whether the brake is on or not. You have to look at the display.

Kinda sucks.

But, I heard it is necessary to apply the handbrake, even though most auto owners don't. IIRC, the reason is because there is a pin that is applied when you put it into park, and that pin is not strong enough, and therefore you need to apply the handbrake.
 
R

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
Originally posted by: Cristatus
The worst is if you car has a similar to that of Mercedes, where the handbrake is actually a foot pedal. That way, you can't even see from looking around whether the brake is on or not. You have to look at the display.

Kinda sucks.

But, I heard it is necessary to apply the handbrake, even though most auto owners don't. IIRC, the reason is because there is a pin that is applied when you put it into park, and that pin is not strong enough, and therefore you need to apply the handbrake.
Click to expand...

I know you have heard this but it is simply not true. I have been inside plenty of automatic transmissions and the parking pawl is always strong enough to hold back the car in the manner it is expected to. I have never seen a transmission that was damaged by not using the parking brake. I have also been in a car that was put into park accidently going over 40 mph and all it did was lock up the rear wheels bringing the car to a stop. I am sure you COULD break one this way but it didn't in my experience.
 
ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
I use the hand brake on my automatic transmission car whenever I park on a hill, just because I hate that uneasy feeling of the car jerking forward a couple of inches after I put it in Park. That can't be good for the transmission!
 
drinkmorejava

drinkmorejava

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
3,567
7
81
Everyday my dad parks in the same spot at work. It's almost completely flat, but for whatever reason, two years ago he forgot to put the e-brake on. He got a call about ten minutes later asking why his TT was in the pond. We're not sure how on earth it managed to still move, though, unless he somehow shifted into neutral instead of park too.
 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I use the hand brake on my automatic transmission car whenever I park on a hill, just because I hate that uneasy feeling of the car jerking forward a couple of inches after I put it in Park. That can't be good for the transmission!
Click to expand...

It's bad for the parking pawl. Eventually it won't work anymore
 
M

Mucho

Guest
Oct 20, 2001
8,231
2
0
My car has automatic transmissions, the only time I set the e-brake is after jacking it up.
 
T

tomywishbone

Golden Member
Oct 24, 2006
1,401
0
0
Originally posted by: DarkThinker
Originally posted by: her209
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: tomywishbone
My wife always wants it up.
Click to expand...
Luckily they have pills for that now.
Click to expand...
LOL, I knew that one was coming.
Click to expand...

And it's about time, I was wondering when someone was going to fall in the trap hehe.
Click to expand...

:D The door was wide open, I had to step in.

 
R

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I use the hand brake on my automatic transmission car whenever I park on a hill, just because I hate that uneasy feeling of the car jerking forward a couple of inches after I put it in Park. That can't be good for the transmission!
Click to expand...

It's bad for the parking pawl. Eventually it won't work anymore
Click to expand...

You are wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom