Who Uses the Parking Brake?

[sport2004]

I have driven a manual transmission vehicle for most of the last 30 years, until picking up the Runner. The parking brake with the stick shift occasionally came in handy when stopped at lights or parking on an incline. (Except one time I tried to maneuver on snow without first disengaging the PB, didn't turn out well for my bud's mailbox...LOL

Anyway, any pressing uses come to mind?

 

[Toyojay]

I use the parking brake every time I park my truck, before shifting out of gear. It makes me cringe to hear all the vehicles weight resting on the internals of the transmission/ transfer case.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Better question - Who doesn't use it?

 

[catrains]

when I HAD MANUAL I would use the park brake on any grade all the time. on flat ground just put in first gear.

since I now have all auto tranny I only use it when parking with my trailer hooked up all the time . reason is that tow load does/can do damage on the lock pin.

 

[sport2004]

It makes me cringe to hear all the vehicles weight resting on the internals of the transmission/ transfer case.

I suppose if I was parking on a significant grade I might push the PB before taking my foot off the brake to avoid this.

Great answers, seems like a difference of opinion going on.

 

[sport2004]

Better question - Who doesn't use it?

Me, but I'm trying to be open...:typing:

 

[Quatre Coureur]

I always shift to neutral, set parking brake, take my foot off the brake, then shift to park. On my manual it's neutral, set brake, turn off, put it in first. Always.

 

[sport2004]

I always shift to neutral, set parking brake, then shift to park.

And you do this for the same reason mentioned by [MENTION=134477]Toyojay[/MENTION]? Others?

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Yes. If not all the weight of your vehicle is resting on the parking pawl in your tranny. Especially since I live on a hill.

 

[indawire]

Gimme a --

Now that mine works again, I use it all the time. 2000 5sp.

 

[catrains]

Yes. If not all the weight of your vehicle is resting on the parking pawl in your tranny. Especially since I live on a hill.

If I lived in California I would use the park brake all the time ...LOL..

 

[Mariner]

I use my parking brake when I'm on any sort of grade. I drove a manual for years and I did it then, and just carried my habit into the automatics.

 

[Toyojay]

I use my parking brake when I'm on any sort of grade. I drove a manual for years and I did it then, and just carried my habit into the automatics.

Pretty much the same reasons I use mine, it just ensures my truck won't ever roll. Parking brake shoes are cheaper to replace than transmission parts.

 

[Tech405]

Its always a good idea to use your parking brake when parking.Thats why they call it a parking brake. when you put your transmission in park the only part that is holding your 4500+lbs vehicle from rolling is the parking pawl. locks the transmission from moving. Its also good to use your parking brake because it ensures everything is moving freely and doesn't seize from not being used.

(parking pawl in transmission picture. not a 4runner but a general picture on what it looks like)

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I don't know why anyone wouldn't use it.

It have a brother who's been disabled for the past 24 years because someone didn't set their parking brake.

 

[03v8raleigh]

Short of the parking pawl physically breaking, is there any actual damage being caused by having the car resting without parking brake though? On a really steep parking spot, I set the PB, but for every average grade parking space, I just shift to park. Plus last time I used my parking brake (in freezing temps) the brake stuck for a few miles, so I'm a little turned off by it.

 

[johnbt]

I've set the parking brake daily since I began driving in 1965.

If the parking brake was some sort of redundant luxury item I think at least one manufacturer would have eliminated it to save a few bucks.

You'll never know how worn your parking pawl is until the day it breaks or slips out of the notch and your vehicle rolls away. Ever have trouble shifting from Park into Drive because the transmission is holding the weight of the vehicle? That thunk sound is the pawl wearing down as it pops out of the notch.

John

 

[TechWrench]

I don't use it most of the time, but do try to apply it about once a month because in NY, the parking brake is part of the mandatory annual state vehicle inspection. If it doesn't work, the vehicle fails inspection.

 

[catrains]

Short of the parking pawl physically breaking, is there any actual damage being caused by having the car resting without parking brake though? On a really steep parking spot, I set the PB, but for every average grade parking space, I just shift to park. Plus last time I used my parking brake (in freezing temps) the brake stuck for a few miles, so I'm a little turned off by it.

you brought up an issue about the park brake locking up in freezing temps.

where I live and the temp drops below 20 deg F many have problems with the park brake sticking. this is common with manual transmissions in the snowy north. cables and even the shoes when driving in snow slop , then over night freeze creates this effect..

in warm areas no problem to use all the time.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

Some of us know it as an emergency brake. I never use it with an auto, but always did with my two manual XTerra vehicles. It is likely required by law and cannot be omitted from vehicles.