Do you folks apply foot parking brake when parking? Is it necessary? I've never used "foot parking brake" on any of my cars before. The one I have has a standard automatic transmission when I put in "park" the pin inside the transmission locks it. Do you folks just press the "P" park button or you press the "foot parking brake" first?
I always apply it. Usually before switching off. But then I drove a stick shift for more than 20 years, before buying a prius. So it doesn't feel right to not apply the hand/foot/whatever-you-call-it break... I feel odd not putting it on at lights..
If I'm on a hill where I feel there will be pressure on the pin that holds the transmission then I'll apply the parking brake before shifting to "P". Otherwise I don't. An additional consideration during winter is if you've been driving and splashed water onto the exposed part of the parking brake cable that actuates the rear brakes and then the water freezes when the temp drops overnight it can prevent you from releasing the parking brake the next morning. Not very likely, but I have had it happen once (but not with my Prius).
If I'm on any incline I use the foot brake. My procedure is after stopping the car, with my foot still on the regular brake, I step on the parking brake, then power off and release my foot from the regular brake. I believe it is easier on the transmission. (less wear and tear on the parking pawl.)
Like the others, I use the parking brake on hills or other adverse situations. For normal parking I never use it. Tom
I use it for adverse conditions but I also try to use it at least every 6-8 weeks just to make sure it keeps working. Years ago I had a parking brake seize up on me (rust) when I used it to park on a hill after it hand't been used for a couple years. I'd rather know that brake was failing than find out when I needed it.
Having lived in SoCal for 20 years where there are so many streets with inclines where I lived, I just got in the habit of always using it and still do to this day.
I'm a bit anal To avoid any strain on the transmission..I do it in the following order..(especially on an incline) 1) Brake to a stop and hold brakes down, 2) Apply Foot Parking Brake, release brakes 3) Switch to N (Neutral) you can feel the transmission release 4) lastly press the "P" (Park) button. Then when back in the car and ready to start moving I do it in reverse order.. 1) Apply foot brake, push start 2) switch to D (Drive) 3) Release Parking Brake Also, don't forget about the "Hill start assist feature" when on a really steep grade.. to avoid rolling backwards when you release the brake pedal...
The parking brake is the first thing I apply and the last thing I release. That's just good safety practice, IMO. When parking, I apply the brake, then just push the power button off. I used to hit park button, then power button, but that's not necessary. Just about always flip the car in gear, then release the parking brake. The reason? One time I parked the car on the slanted driveway, without applying parking brake, I shut off, released brake pedal, car rolled back on the driveline. No biggie, but I'd rather avoid that boo boo again. So, the parking brake gets applied first..... and I much prefer the foot parking brake. Didn't care for the Accord's hand parking brake ... and few other things like the 27 mpg average.
Don't mean to be rude, but I don't think that's your safest course. I think putting any car in neutral on an incline is a no no. Never know if you might get distracted, someone knocks on your window, what have you. Set that parking brake soon as stopped and power off, all you need to do.
Sorry, not rude at all..you are right. I wrote down the steps out of order. I do the steps without thinking about it usually..
