Anyone set the pkg brake every time you park?

[Dan.]

I always use the parking brake because it "costs nothing" as said earlier, and it nets you a few good things.

The first reason I use it so to reduce strain on the parking claw if you use the parking brake. I consider the parking brake more replaceable than the parking claw.

The second reason (and the bigger of the two) has to do with what happens if some idiot hits your car while your parked. If the parking brake isn't set, the only thing hindering movement of your car is the parking claw (one axle). That means your car is a lot more likely (if hit) to fly off and hit another car or someone who might be near your car. If the parking brake is on, you have two axles locked. Someone slamming into your car is less likely to move it nearly as far as they would have with the parking brake off.

All comes back to my drivers Ed course, thought by a Texas State Trooper. He (of course) had the horrible story about how a parked car was hit by a drunk guy and went careening into some kid 6 feet away playing on the sidewalk. The argument was made in court that the owner of the parked car was partially liable for the kids death since modeling showed the car would not have moved 6 feet if the parking brake was applied.

one in a million chance, but, like I said, it costs nothing to apply a simple brake.

11011011

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

This may be generational--I am observing that many other things are, too--since many drivers have never even seen a manual tranny. Setting the parking brake is not even conscious for me, I just do it. My manual tranny cars were always in 1st or Reverse with brake set.

The Prius will be my first non-manual tranny (if I can EVER get what I want) in over 40 years of buying cars. No problem, this car relies on a CVT for efficiency, and a manual could not make it more fun. Besides, I'm keeping the A4.

So my exit practice will be: put car in place, set parking brake, turn off (goes to Park). Entry practice: press foot brake, clear parking brake, turn on, shift, go. This is not rocket surgery.

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

So my exit practice will be: put car in place, set parking brake, turn off (goes to Park). Entry practice: press foot brake, clear parking brake, turn on, shift, go. This is not rocket surgery.

tsk tsk.. forgot your seat belt....

click it or ticket.

[Fujisan]

Always

Most of my cars have been manual transmission, so it's just a habit I've carried on with the Prius.....which is the first car I've owned with a foot operated parking brake.

[cpatch]

Originally Posted by Fujisan

...which is the first car I've owned with a foot operated parking brake.

Me too...no more controlled skids! (Plus I'm not crazy about teaching my daughter to drive in a car where I have no braking control at all from the passenger seat!)

[Fujisan]

Originally Posted by cpatch

Me too...no more controlled skids! (Plus I'm not crazy about teaching my daughter to drive in a car where I have no braking control at all from the passenger seat!)

Thankfully I don't have to think about teaching my lad to drive for at least another 12 years!

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by cpatch

Me too...no more controlled skids! (Plus I'm not crazy about teaching my daughter to drive in a car where I have no braking control at all from the passenger seat!)

Oh you can still have fun. You're just pumping with your left foot instead =P. Depending on how tight your handbrake cable is, you can also induce one without actually activating it (pressing past the click).


Yes my parking brake is always applied and I grew up with automatics. However, I don't apply them when I take the car in for service. It seems the service technicians aren't used to it and always drive off with the brake still engaged and return it with the brake disengaged (I wonder if I can charge the dealer for wear lol)

[PriusRos]

I always set the parking brake. My driveway is on an incline so I don't like the idea of the extra strain on the parking mechanism without the brake. But, whether or not I'm parking on an incline, it's my habit to set the brake. If I do it all the time, it's far less likely I'll forget to release the brake before driving!

[Jim Calvert]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

Once again - and please take this the right way.

It is irritating trying to decipher your posts. I know you said you use iPhone or iPod - whatever. Do you ever read back your writing on your posts? We'd appreciate hearing from you even more if we could easily read and understand your input.

I know I sound like a cranky old guy reprimanding you like an English professor. In life, we are always "graded" - like it or not.

I agree. If it is too difficult or too time consuming to proof read and correct the spelling of a simple word such as "her", why bother to post at all? Half the people starting to read it will just lose interest and go on to the next post. My advice - toss the iPod.

[richard schumacher]

Yes:
- If you always do it you'll never forget
- Four wheels holding is better than two
- Using it regularly helps keep it from freezing in place.

Other than that, why bother? :_>