Who Uses the Parking Brake?

[johnbt]

Page 269, same section on "Winter driving tips".

"If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or creeping."

So there's snow and ice on the ground. What do I block the wheels with that won't slide away, studded concrete blocks? They're 28 pounds each. How about short sections of railroad ties with big spikes driven through them or wrapped in logging chain (I have logging chain)? Frozen road kill? Lord knows my regular wheel chocks aren't going to do any good. Come on Toyota, help me out here. ound:

I know...

www.rcpw.com/truck-accessories/galv...C091060.html?gclid=CJjl7f7TitICFYeNswod9pQEBQ

Only $60 each.

 

[catrains]

I had to report to work when the snow would fly . even if the roads were closed . I was a state employee .. after working long hours I would come home to a driveway covered with snow/ice all that crap. well I was not at that time gonna clean it up after working all those hours.

twice my truck slide down the driveway ... I had it in 2wd. so only ONE rear wheel was holding the vehicle on a slight grade... after that I now set to 4wd whenever the driveway has any ice/snow on it.

 

[mmike87]

Always when parking.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Wow, I can't believe this is even a thread, and I can't believe how many don't use it!

Its part of the yearly roadworthy test here that the parking brake works effectively, I've never met anyone that would even consider parking with it off. (Correction, I've seen people sue blocks of wood as chocks in racetrack car parks as the brakes are so hot, it can cause parking brake issues).

I remember in my old 944, the parking brake was between the drivers seat and the door. cleverly designed so you'd catch it getting out. I once came out of a shop to see a guy hanging onto my car to stop it rolling onto a busy road. :tape:

 

[sport2004]

the parking brake was between the drivers seat and the door.

That brings back memories of European vehicles, especially British, from the 1960's.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

That brings back memories of European vehicles, especially British, from the 1960's.

Lotus Esprit was by your ankle, on the exit side. So not only did it trip you up getting out, but you'd knock it off, and run yourself over when you are down.

I'm not sure what they were playing at with the 944, it might have had something to do with the torque tube/transaxle layout. Was fun though, the girlfriend hated it :lol:

 

[sport2004]

lotus esprit was by your ankle, on the exit side. So not only did it trip you up getting out, but you'd knock it off, and run yourself over when you are down.

I'm not sure what they were playing at with the 944, it might have had something to do with the torque tube/transaxle layout. Was fun though, the girlfriend hated it :lol:

lol!

 

[kott3670]

Flat level ground I tend not to.... I actively try to remember to set it though, honestly I usually forget because it's a foot pedal, Cars with a hand brake it's right there and easy to remember, just an added thing for reliability and safety. Not to highjack the thread but this goes along with not ensuring cargo is secure... I broke my jaw and lost a few teeth due to insecure cargo in a Ford Bronco.... (And an incompetent driver who drove off a cliff) I was the only one injured but wouldn't't have been had he not had a collection of jack stands in his truck just floating around.

 

[jbjones85]

100% of the time (or 99.99% maybe I have forgotten once). Come to a stop, put in N, activate parking brake, release brake pedal, put in Park. I've been doing it this way since I was 16 with automatics, manuals were the same concept though (always leaving with it in gear).

 

[sport2004]

Come to a stop, put in N, activate parking brake, release brake pedal, put in Park.

As a result of this thread, my procedure, Shift to N, push parking Brake, shift to Park, let foot off brake.

Is your sequence better?

 

[SkidPalace]

Sorry guys, I never realized I was in the minority of those who do not use the parking brake. I also call it the "emergency" brake and have always regarded it to be used in case of hydraulic system failure.
Obviously in my one vehicle with manual transmission I used it every time I parked, but with every other car I have not given it a second thought, unless I was using it to slide the ass end around turns like an idiot.
I am glad I found this thread as I will try to condition my brain to use the parking brake on a regular basis.

 

[sport2004]

I will try to condition my brain to use the parking brake on a regular basis.

it's not easy

 

[Craigy]

If brakes are very hot when you set the ebrake, you can warp your rotors. Better to leave in park or in-gear unless on an incline IMO. More of a sportscar thing though; I doubt anyone is really putting a lot of heat into the brakes in a runner.

 

[jwkilgore]

I drove a manual for years, and got in the habit of always using the parking brake. Did that for 10 years in an auto Silverado. Got all sorts of strange looks and questions from passengers, but it didn't hurt anything so I kept doing it.

Then when I got the 4Runner I just stopped. Except if I'm on any sort of decent grade... then I use the parking brake. Basically if I feel the vehicle roll against the pawl when I let my foot off the brake I hit the parking brake. If the roll was quick enough I'll press the brake, put it back in neutral, engage the parking brake, and back in park.

 

[TechWrench]

Sorry guys, I never realized I was in the minority of those who do not use the parking brake. I also call it the "emergency" brake and have always regarded it to be used in case of hydraulic system failure.
Obviously in my one vehicle with manual transmission I used it every time I parked, but with every other car I have not given it a second thought, unless I was using it to slide the ass end around turns like an idiot.
I am glad I found this thread as I will try to condition my brain to use the parking brake on a regular basis.

Back in the 'old' days, when the 'emergency' brake used the rear drum brake system, it was a lot more effective as a back-up braking system if the main system failed. But with the advent of 4 wheel disc brakes, this 'parking' brake system using the small drum shoes inside the rear discs is marginal, at best, at holding a vehicle on an incline. It is almost useless as a back-up system if the main hydraulic system fails. IMHO.

 

[grave]

I use mine every time i park. i may try the Neutral first trick now, though.

What happens if you engage it while moving? Seems like hand brakes are good for drifting, but what if you did this with a foot brake?

 

[catrains]

I use mine every time i park. i may try the Neutral first trick now, though.

What happens if you engage it while moving? Seems like hand brakes are good for drifting, but what if you did this with a foot brake?

with that big rain storm hitting you best use a good sized boat anchor.

 

[TechWrench]

I use mine every time i park. i may try the Neutral first trick now, though.

What happens if you engage it while moving? Seems like hand brakes are good for drifting, but what if you did this with a foot brake?

Given the style/method of activating the parking brake, it is not as easy to use as the lever type. With most lever types I have seen, there is a button one can depress to disengage the lever lock. You can depress and hold this button to manually control how much the parking brake is activated. With the 4th gen foot pedal, the pedal is held in place, when pressed, by a ratchet style latch. You have to depress the pedal a 2nd time to release the holding ratchet. This style system makes using it on the 'fly' a bit difficult.

 

[sport2004]

this 'parking' brake system using the small drum shoes inside the rear discs is marginal, at best, at holding a vehicle on an incline.

Which begs the question...

The next issue, what is the recommended maintenance of the PB?

 

[TechWrench]

Which begs the question...

The next issue, what is the recommended maintenance of the PB?

Pretty much the same as the old drum brake systems. Remove rotor, inspect, clean, lubricate, replace any worn components, and adjust parts as needed. And, a regular schedule of 'exercising' the system to check for proper operation would be a good idea.