Parking Brake...do you use it??

Parking brake: do you use it??

  • Always!

    Votes: 127 57.0%

  • Never!

    Votes: 28 12.6%

  • Sometimes...only on hills

    Votes: 68 30.5%
  • Total voters
    223
Thai

Thai

Elite Member
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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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.
 
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.
 
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
 
I use it pretty much on the trails only. And if I'm parked on a hill (which rarely happened in Arizona :D ) Except now I gotta extend my e-brake bracket cuz of the lift. Ahhh too lazy!
 
Always use it. You never know when something could go wrong, and making a habit just gives you an extra measure of security.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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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.
 
The parking brake needs to be re-adjusted ever so often...probably with every standard oil change (7500 mile). If it does not get re-adjusted, then it will be very loose and less effective (like what you noticed).

Once adjusted, the parking brake will be tight again.
 
Iman74 said:
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.
Click to expand...

It's time to find a new friend?:D (In my opinion, yes, it is not needed if you park on a flat surface, but it does provide additional insurance.)
 
I have to get used to the parking brake being on the floor to my left. It's setup like a truck and I'm just not used to having it there. This is my first SUV and I still have to get accustomed to it so I use the parking brake whenever I remember to turn it on.

I'm sure the longer I have it the easier it will be to remember to put it on. I've had to change my "Get out of car" routine since buying this thing and I'm still getting accustomed to driving it.
 
Parking Brake Use.

I use the parking brake in my vehicles almost all the time. My 4Runner has broken the front cable twice now and is probably ready to be done again. If the 4Runner sits for a while the rear brakes get stuck. I`m assuming that rust builds on the drums causing the shoes to stick. When it is parked in the garage for a while (more than 2 weeks) I don`t use the brake. My 4Runner is a 5 speed. My other car is an automatic front wheel drive and I use the parking brake to go around corners in the snow...kinda like drifting!:D I also use the parking brake to turn off the daytime running lights.
 
I am one of those who seem to never use too. But, here's some stuff I have not seen posted here. I bought my '97 and took it to my buddie's shop. I asked him to go over the vehicle (with 90,000 on it). I told him that it felt like the brake rotors were warped slightly. He showed me that the parking brake cable was loose, and smiled. Feeling a little stupid, I looked at him with a classic blank stair. Okay, here's how it works. The parking brake, when properly adjusted, is what ratchets the rear drum adusters when you pull on that handle you don't use. Because yours are not adjusted out, where they should be, the front brakes are doing all the work. Voila, warped rotors. So, two things, adjust the cables on both sides, and use the damn thing!
BTW, this my first post, I'm new around here, and I love this vehicle! Bought it for $13,000 w/ 90,000 on it, here in California. Yeah, where the weather is getting to cost to damn much :D
 
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