Should I use the parking brake when parking in an automatic?

[fr]

I used to never use it. Then I heard that it takes the stress off the transmission so I started using it all the time. Then I read that was a myth.

 

[bruceb]

Automatic trans has a pawl to keep things locked in Park.
If you do not use the parking brake and you are on an
incline, you will find it hard to get out of Park because that
pawl will be binding. The parking brake should be used at
all times, manual or automatic transmission.

 

[Gibson486]

I have only used it when parking on steep hills. Last time I used it was 2 years ago.

 

[Demo24]

Yes, as mentioned above. However if you use the brake then apply it with your foot still on the main brake pedal, otherwise you are still putting some stress on the parking pawl.

 

[LTC8K6]

You should use the parking brake when you park the car.

 

[boomerang]

The design of the rear disk brakes on some cars makes it a good idea to use the parking brake at least occasionally. The parking brake is integrated into the rear calipers and without it being applied occasionally, your rear brakes will slowly become ineffective. It happens over time, so you don't really notice the gradual decline in braking. I've seen cars with severely rusted rear rotors and pads in excellent condition. GM is a big offender on this one.

I've got a 2010 LaCrosse that I've had for almost two months that had a really low and mushy pedal when new. It was fixed by repeatedly applying and releasing the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed. It seems like they're still using the same design.

 

[halik]

I used to never use it. Then I heard that it takes the stress off the transmission so I started using it all the time. Then I read that was a myth.

I do when parking on a hill. It takes the strain off the holding pin.

 

[obamanation]

When you park an automatic, before you shift into park you should set the parking brake, let off the foot brake THEN shift into park. By doing it specifically in this order, you ensure that the stress is on the parking BRAKE and not the little pin in the transmission. Sometimes people do it as I described except they let off the foot brake after shifting into park which unfortunately still puts stress on the transmission.

 

[LTC8K6]

The design of the rear disk brakes on some cars makes it a good idea to use the parking brake at least occasionally. The parking brake is integrated into the rear calipers and without it being applied occasionally, your rear brakes will slowly become ineffective. It happens over time, so you don't really notice the gradual decline in braking. I've seen cars with severely rusted rear rotors and pads in excellent condition. GM is a big offender on this one.

I've got a 2010 LaCrosse that I've had for almost two months that had a really low and mushy pedal when new. It was fixed by repeatedly applying and releasing the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed. It seems like they're still using the same design.

In many cars, the parking brake is completely seperate from the main brakes.

With 4 wheel discs, the parking brake is often a set of shoes inside the "hat" of the rear disc.

This is why you have to be careful when calling the parking brake the emergency brake. On many modern cars, the parking brake is only that. A simple single brake meant only to hold the car still.

EDIT: It's not single of course, but on both rear rotors. My Jeep has 4 wheel discs, 2 piston calipers in front, single piston calipers in back, with conventional pads on all 4 wheels for the main brakes, and 4 shoes for the 2 rear park brakes, for example.

 

[franksta]

When you park an automatic, before you shift into park you should set the parking brake, let off the foot brake THEN shift into park. By doing it specifically in this order, you ensure that the stress is on the parking BRAKE and not the little pin in the transmission. Sometimes people do it as I described except they let off the foot brake after shifting into park which unfortunately still puts stress on the transmission.

This is the way I do it. If you park on a slope you'll know you've done it right when the car doesn't lurch forward after you release the brake pedal. That's the parking pawl finding it's way into a notch.

 

[BW86]

only on hills and even then i only use it half the time. I rarely even use the parking brake on my manual car either

 

[Homer Simpson]

When you park an automatic, before you shift into park you should set the parking brake, let off the foot brake THEN shift into park. By doing it specifically in this order, you ensure that the stress is on the parking BRAKE and not the little pin in the transmission. Sometimes people do it as I described except they let off the foot brake after shifting into park which unfortunately still puts stress on the transmission.

word. thats how i do it. and i only do it when parking on a significant incline. no need for it in most parking situations.

 

[amdhunter]

It's there for drifting purposes.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I drive an auto and use the parking brake every time I put the car in park just as a force of habit. It is a hand lever very close to the gear selector though so it's really one motion to put the car in park and engage the parking brake.

There's really no down side to using it, and if you don't use it for a few years and find that one day you need it, you might find it's frozen in place and doesn't work anymore. I mean it takes all of a second to engage and disengage it so I don't see what the big deal is?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Why would you NOT use the parking brake?

The only reason I've ever heard that is remotely plausible has been "my wife is an idiot".

 

[hanoverphist]

i have a manual transmission in my truck, i use it every time i park. it really pisses me off when i leave it at a shop or valet and they just slap it into first gear and let it rock instead of neutral and the parking brake.

 

[MJinZ]

I used to never use it. Then I heard that it takes the stress off the transmission so I started using it all the time. Then I read that was a myth.

LOL, so exactly why do they exist if you're not supposed to use them?

 

[MJinZ]

When you park an automatic, before you shift into park you should set the parking brake, let off the foot brake THEN shift into park. By doing it specifically in this order, you ensure that the stress is on the parking BRAKE and not the little pin in the transmission. Sometimes people do it as I described except they let off the foot brake after shifting into park which unfortunately still puts stress on the transmission.

Uh, that makes no sense.

Order:

Shift to Park
Parking Brake engaged
Regular Brake disengage

Otherwise, there would be nearly no point in using the damn thing.

 

[SearchMaster]

Why would you NOT use the parking brake?

The only reason I've ever heard that is remotely plausible has been "my wife is an idiot".

I never use it because Demon-Xanth's wife is an idiot.

 

[mb]

I use it every time I park.

Edit: except for when I take it in for service, because they always try to drive it without disengaging the parking brake.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I never use it because Demon-Xanth's wife is an idiot.

Not mine, rpanic's:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=112282

 

[kalrith]

When you park an automatic, before you shift into park you should set the parking brake, let off the foot brake THEN shift into park. By doing it specifically in this order, you ensure that the stress is on the parking BRAKE and not the little pin in the transmission. Sometimes people do it as I described except they let off the foot brake after shifting into park which unfortunately still puts stress on the transmission.

It's funny. I just assumed that everyone knew to do it like that and to use it whenever parking on an incline.

 

[SithSolo1]

I use it on inclines...and thats about it. I'd probably use it more if it were a handle and not a pedal.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, you put an auto in Park only when it's already being held still by the park brake.

Makes no sense to do it any other way.

 

[fr]

Uh, that makes no sense.

Order:

Shift to Park
Parking Brake engaged
Regular Brake disengage

Otherwise, there would be nearly no point in using the damn thing.

I've been doing it in this order:

1. Press firmly on brake pedal
2. Engage parking brake
3. Shift to park
4. Release brake pedal

When I start back up:

1. Press firmly on brake pedal
2. Release parking brake
3. Shift to drive or reverse
4. Release brake pedal

My car also locks the doors automatically whenever I shift out of park. I've already had to replace my driver door actuator once at a cost of a few hundred dollars. To save the wear on my locks, I've been shifting into neutral, engaging the parking brake, and letting my foot off the brake when I have to wait in drive-thrus and railroad crossings. Is that bad?