What is the correct sequence of using the parking, emergency, brakes?

[zak4runner]

This question might be a no-brainer for many of you but unfortunately not for me.
Some people say that using the parking brake is not necessary for automatic gear cars. Yet, others say it is recommended to use the parking brakes even for automatic gear cars since it relieves the pressure on the transmission when the car is parked. So I decided to use it. The thing that I am not sure about is the sequence of steps when parking a car. I do the followings:

Parking:
1. While the car is on Drive gear, press the brakes.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Shift the gear to Park.

Taking off:
1. Press the brakes and shift the gear to Drive or Reverse.
2. Release the parking brake.
3. Take off.

Are those the correct steps or not? Thanks for your help.

 

[tonybaloney]

here is what i do.

parking:
1. press on the foot brake
2. shift to "p"
3. press the parking brake
4. release the foot brake

taking off:
1. press the foot brake
2. release the parking brake
3. shift to "r" or "d"
4. release the foot brake

 

[zak4runner]

So in terms of putting least pressure on the transmission, you think that putting the gear to P then applying parking brakes is better than the other way around?

 

[tonybaloney]

if you press the parking brake hard enough, the car shouldn't move so it shouldn't put any stress onto the transmission.

 

[TechWrench]

With the way the park function works in an automatic trans, using the parking brake on level ground will do very little, if anything to 'relieve' any pressure on the trans, because there isn't any. If you are parking on an incline, then applying the parking brake before putting the trans in park may keep the parking pawl from binding against the teeth of the parking gear and making it difficult to release from park.

 

[mole177]

my parking brake sucks.

I dont think im alone either.

 

[Even Steven]

The main thing to remember here is that you don't want to put any pressure (or vehicle weight) on the parking pawl of the transmission when parked on a hill.

That said, you can actually apply the parking brake before you take the transmission out of drive. Or you can apply the parking brake with your right foot firmly on the brake pedal. Either way, the vehicle's weight will be against the parking brake instead of the transmission's parking pawl.

If your goal is to avoid putting the vehicle's weight on the transmission, then the only thing you have to remember is to NOT put it into park on a hill, remove your foot from the brake pedal, and THEN apply the parking brake.

 

[Even Steven]

my parking brake sucks.

I dont think im alone either.

It's easy to adjust. The parking brake on the 4Runner is actually quite powerful if it is adjusted properly.

 

[zak4runner]

Thanks guys for your help. I am more informed now.

 

[JP4RNR]

On my 06 4Runner My parking brake does not hold if I am facing up a hill(sometimes it does) but holds just fine if I am facing down a hill.

 

[Even Steven]

On my 06 4Runner My parking brake does not hold if I am facing up a hill(sometimes it does) but holds just fine if I am facing down a hill.

Needs to be adjusted. Your parking brake should hold if you have your 4Runner in drive and apply light pressure to your gas pedal (with the engine running, of course!)