Anyone set the pkg brake every time you park?

[wfolta]

Originally Posted by randy_m

The owner's manual harps over and over again about always setting the parking brake when parking...I've never done that with any of my automatic transmissions.

Does anyone think this is actually necessary?

Why would you not do it? Once you're in the habit, it costs you a second or two a day.

It costs zero seconds on startup, as I release it while I'm waiting for the READY, and only a second to set it when I park. I never lose even a second of thought as to whether I should set it (because I'm on a "steep enough" hill), or forget to unset it (because sometimes it's set and sometimes not).

Personally, I'd rather have an almost zero wear on brake pads rather than having a ton of weight klunking gear-against-gear in a critical part of the car.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by wfolta

<snip>

Personally, I'd rather have an almost zero wear on brake pads rather than having a ton of weight klunking gear-against-gear in a critical part of the car.

Good point, except that those gears are made to take a lot more load than that. Every time you drive, the same gears are taking that force and more. They are used for accelerating, braking, and simply moving the car. If you want to save them, your going to have to stop driving.

Tom

[green01]

I set my parking brake only on hills.

If it is a really a significant safety issue, it seems the government should require it to automatically set when the car is placed in Park, and unset automatically when not in Park.

Relying on people to remember to always set and unset the parking brake manually is a losing cause. Some will remember, but most won't.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by patsparks

It is the law here, the park brake must be set. Costs nothing to apply it.

I consider the manual to be equal to the Tablets of Stone!!

[Dark_matter_doesn't]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Good point, except that those gears are made to take a lot more load than that. Every time you drive, the same gears are taking that force and more. They are used for accelerating, braking, and simply moving the car. If you want to save them, your going to have to stop driving.

Tom

In conventional cars with auto transmissions, there is a single tooth or pawl that locks the transmission when in park. If that pawl breaks, it's a transmission overhaul - thousands of $$.

I habitually use the parking brake, and on hills I make sure that the parking brake holds the vehicle by applying it first, releasing the foot brake, then putting the trans. in park.

[octavia]

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'd like to start by including a well respected members' signature quote:

It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.
~Andrew Jackson

I have no idea who this kid is. To come here and read our boring old posts and even have the courage to respond... but rather than criticizing her/him over spelling I would like to commend her/him.

Bases on the "what you do for a living thread" this is either predominantly a group of Phd's and Masters level achievers or a group of wanna-be Phd's and Masters level achievers. Either way, the appearance of being educated is clearly important to this group and here this kid is, jumping right in!
Wow!
That takes some moxie. I'd be willing to bet money that there are more than a handful of lurkers around here too intimidated to post and yet this kid.....

On another note, it's common for TAG( Talented and Gifted) kids to not be able to spell at all. Bad spelling is often the first sign of genius.
(not saying this person is, just pointing out the possibility)

[peirhead]

One some vehicles including older GMs amd some Toyota's as well, the brake self adjusters were tied into the parking brake mechanism. If the parking brake was not used eventually the rear brakes would get so far out of adjustment they were no longer effective. Some cars depend on backing up and braking to set the self adjusters...as far as the Prius is concerned I don't know which system it uses for the self adjusters...anybody out there know the answer??

[Dark_matter_doesn't]

Originally Posted by peirhead

One some vehicles including older GMs amd some Toyota's as well, the brake self adjusters were tied into the parking brake mechanism. If the parking brake was not used eventually the rear brakes would get so far out of adjustment they were no longer effective. Some cars depend on backing up and braking to set the self adjusters...as far as the Prius is concerned I don't know which system it uses for the self adjusters...anybody out there know the answer??

Drum-based rear brakes have self-adjusting mechanisms, but rear disc brakes do not. 2010 Priuses have rear disc brakes - older Priuses may have rear drums.

[someToast]

Originally Posted by peirhead

One some vehicles including older GMs amd some Toyota's as well, the brake self adjusters were tied into the parking brake mechanism. If the parking brake was not used eventually the rear brakes would get so far out of adjustment they were no longer effective.

I was about to say that too. My first car was a used 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. After about three years, I took it in for some brake issues and was told that the rear shoes were seized to the point of rusting solid. That's when I learned of the parking brake's role on that model. I've been in the habit of using it with every car since, regardless of the make.

I thought I'd get away without doing it on the Prius, but the car does enough of a roll after turning it off that I'm forcing myself to retrain the right-hand pull to be a left-foot press.  

[Cassandra]

I don't use it. But reading all this I'm going to begin doing so! I just wish it wasn't a foot break.