View Poll Results: Parking brake: do you use it??
Always! 127 57.47%
Always!
127 57.47%
Never! 28 12.67%
Never!
28 12.67%
Sometimes...only on hills 66 29.86%
Sometimes...only on hills
66 29.86%
Voters: 221. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 11-18-2002, 04:53 PM #1
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Parking Brake...do you use it??

Hey all,

For me, i ALWAYS use the parking brake. It is a habit now. Using it will prolong your automatic transmission life AND help out when someone rear-ends your car.

Conclusion: it is a lot cheaper to replace your parking brake than it is to replace your automatic transmission.

What do you guys think??

Thanks.
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Old 11-06-2003, 12:37 AM #2
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I dont think I have ever used my parking break. That makes sense though, I could see how not using it would wear down the auto trans. after ahwile. The hard part is getting in the habit of using it. Thanks.
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Old 11-09-2003, 12:16 AM #3
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When I had the '98 4Runner I used it religiously. It just became so much of a habit, plus it was so easy with it located on the center console... parking brake down, shift into gear.

Now with the 4th gen, I have to make a conscious effort to use it and disengage it. My left leg isn't used to doing anything besides stretching. I'll get used to it.
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Old 11-09-2003, 12:33 AM #4
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I used the hand brake all the time on my '96 4Runner.

With my '04, I'm forcing myself to get used to the floor-mounted parking brake. It's tough, since my '96 had a manual transmission
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Old 11-09-2003, 12:37 AM #5
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I use it pretty much on the trails only. And if I'm parked on a hill (which rarely happened in Arizona ) Except now I gotta extend my e-brake bracket cuz of the lift. Ahhh too lazy!
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Old 11-09-2003, 05:05 PM #6
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Always use it. You never know when something could go wrong, and making a habit just gives you an extra measure of security.
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Old 11-09-2003, 05:36 PM #7
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Absolutely!!! If you've had an automatic transmission apart and seen the small size of the park detent, you would too. I wouldn't trust it. Maybe some of you automatic transmission techs out there can vouch for this.
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Old 11-18-2003, 02:09 PM #8
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When I drove manuals I always did it without question. Then I converted to automatics with the handle for the break right next to the automatic shifter so I did it out of habit, but when I got my 03 Runner I didn't bother. I don't get how it can save your automatic transmission: can you explain that a little further? Keep in mind I know next to nothing about cars.
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Old 11-18-2003, 03:17 PM #9
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Quick explanation: the automatics have relatively small detents in it's gears to stop your vehicle from rolling. Over time, these detents can wear out due to excessive use on inclines/declines. Also, if you get rear-ended, then you may damage the transmission further.

The parking brake relieves stress on the transmission.
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Old 11-18-2003, 04:53 PM #10
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What's the long explanation then?

That makes sense, except I am not sure I get what is detents.
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Old 11-18-2003, 10:29 PM #11
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The parking brake serves as a mechanical emergency backup brake system. Should your hydraulic brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop the vehicle.

Many people who have vehicles with automatic transmissions rarely use their parking brake. They simply put the transmission into park to lock the drive wheels when they park their vehicle. Even so, it's important to use your parking brake periodically.

Using the parking brake regularly helps keep the cables freed up so corrosion can't accumulate and cause binding. Applying the parking brake also works the self-adjusters in the rear brakes, which helps keep the linings in drum brakes properly adjusted for minimum pedal travel. On cars with four wheel disc brakes and locking rear calipers, using the parking brake keeps the threaded self-adjusting mechanisms inside the rear caliper pistons working freely to compensate for pad wear.

The "park" setting on an automatic transmission jams a little rod into the gears. The rod is big enough to hold the car in place even on a steep hill, BUT thin enough so it will break off if the car is pushed or if "park" is engaged while the car is moving.

If you live in like San Francisco, or anyplace hilly, then I'd suggest engaging the parking brake. It works a lot better if you engage the parking brake FIRST, then put it in "P." Less stress on the little Parking pawl, and the shift lever will be easier to get out of "P" the next time.

Hope this explains it.
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Old 11-18-2003, 11:12 PM #12
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Old habits are hard to break especially when I used to drive manual transmission
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Old 11-19-2003, 01:07 AM #13
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Use it or lose it.

If you do not sue your parking brake and a few years later you decide to, it might get stuck. They get really rusted and might not back off of you use it for that 1 time.

Good thing to spray some WD-40 on it every oil change to keep it lubed and make sure it is working properly.
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Old 11-19-2003, 10:52 AM #14
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That explains it, thanks. One thing though, in my Blazer and in the Camaro, the emergency break was so loose that there really wasn't any need to activate the emergency break for it never really worked on those two vehicles. Do you guys find this to happen after the 4 Runner is quite old?
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Old 01-06-2004, 09:10 AM #15
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When I took my car to my buddy who is a transmission guy, and informed him that the emergency break is activated so please do not forget to release it before pulling it into the garage, he asked if it was a standard. When I told him it was an automatic he told me there really isn't any need for it.
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