Parking brake in the 2010 Prius

The manual says to apply the parking brake and hit the "P" button when parking. I didn't realize this until I read the manual after already having driven the car. I didn't notice any problems when I didn't apply it. Am I missing something? Is putting it into "P" not sufficient?

When I test drove the 2009 last year the sales rep didn't have me apply the parking brake. Is there a difference betwen previous models and the 2010?

Any help would be appreciated.

I always apply the parking brake whether on level ground or not. And I put the car in gear with foot on brake, then release the parking brake.

If you're on an incline and put it in park, the car will move a little on the driveline. I don't think that would do damage, but it might make on feel bad.

One morning, half awake, parked in driveway, accidentally took parking brake off without foot on brake, car rolled back onto driveline while in park. I did not like that.

To me, the parking brake is an extra layer of safety. Just don't drive or back up with it on.

I also apply the parking brake whenever I park (I'm trying to get my wife to do it too... but that's a work in process ).

I don't like the car resting on the transmission, and like somebody said earlier, a parking brake is cheaper than a transmission.

This information was already mentioned above, but scattered about. Let me try to put it in one spot:

1) Pressing "Park" engages a locking pawl. The pawl is a pin that sticks into a hole and keeps the drive train from turning. This locks the front wheels.

2) Pressing the parking brake manually applies the rear friction brakes through a cable linkage. If applied with enough force, this effectively locks the rear wheels.

What does this mean? It means that for normal parking on a mostly flat surface, pressing Park is fine. On a steep hill, or in any situation where you want extra security, also use the parking brake as a backup.

It's good to use a parking brake from time to time to keep the mechanism free. Rust and dirt can be problems, especially when seldom used.

Tom

I believe I read that turning off the engine by pressing the smart key button automatically engages park. You don't have to hit the park button unless you are sitting with the HSD in ready mode and want to put the car in park, such as while waiting for someone to run into a store for a moment.

Exactly. That's how I power off: I just hit power and let the car do the work. I only explicitly press Park if I am waiting in Ready mode.

Tom

<mounts podium>

It's a good habit to get into. When you come to a stop and will be turning the car off:
1. Apply parking brake while your other foot is on the brake pedal.
2. Turn off car (car automatically goes into "park").

This ensures there is no tension on the park mechanism. Note that the park mechanism on the Prius is a "sun gear" which slides over a "planet gear" that is bolted to the housing. It's pretty strong. Note that this is the only gear that engages/disengages in the "transmission".

When you want to go again:
1. Put foot on brake pedal.
2. Press "Start".
3. Put car in "D" (or "R").
4. Release parking brake and release brake pedal to go (when safe to do so).

Note that if you forget to release the parking brake, once you start moving over a certain speed (around 5 MPH or so) a warning buzzer/tone sounds continuously.

<dismounts podium>

I am in the habit of applying the parking brake every time I shut the car off, mainly because I have driven manual transmission cars for the past 30 years. In my other car, it is a necessity; in the Prius, merely an added safeguard.

My parents always applied the parking brake, so I do as well. It is just how I was taught to drive. It always surprises me when other people don't apply the brake. I figure that little extra bit of safety won't hurt anything, but certainly can help!

I test drove the Prius 3rd Gen the other day. I didn't put the Parking Brake and only use the Park Gear when I parked the car back to the lot. When I open the truck and look at the inside of the truck. The car kind of roll back and forth. So I don't think the Park Gear is that strong.

I always apply the parking brake. But wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to? Why not design an automatic parking brake that depresses when you press the Park button, and releases when you step on the main brake and put the car in gear? I would like that.


Another suggestion: Why not have the car beep once when the power windows are fully closed. Sometimes you think they are, but are a half inch short of being closed.

The car rolls because there's quite a distance between teeth on the parking gear. That translates into quite a bit of movement of the wheels.

See this photo comparing the 2G and 3G power split device (source):



The parking gear is the gear with few very wide, flat teeth. I think I make it 12 teeth on the 2G, it could be more on the 3G. The 2010 shouldn't roll as much as the previous model, because the distance between teeth is much reduced (although the final reduction gear ratios are different so less transmission rotation may not indicate less distance moved).

There may also have been some slack in the chain drive on the older car. The new car uses meshing gears exclusively.

Still, the car can roll on just the transmission park pawl, and while the pawl itself is not likely to be that expensive, getting the transaxle apart to replace is a lot of labour.

My practice is to set the parking brake while shifting into neutral, allow the car to roll slightly to let the parking brake take the strain, then press P, whenever stopping on a non-level surface or when a passenger is getting in or out.

I forgot the Prius had a parking brake.

That's what happens when you live in the flatlands.

I read that in the Lexus HS250, if you do not press the Park button but still power off the car, it will go into neutral.
So I guess heads up to everyone who powers off the Prius without pressing the Park button: The HS250 doesn't automatically press it for you upon shutdown. Don't forget!

Source: Sixth paragraph; First Drive: 2010 Lexus HS 250h is pretty on the inside

Personally I like it though, as now I can set my car in neutral without requiring that it be "on" or tinkered with to do so.

Don't apply the park brake during a driving test when you park and you lose points. It is good practice to always apply the park brake when you park.

I still wonder why setting the parking brake can't be automated. Press "Park" and it is applied by an electric motor. Do any cars have this?

Not true. My salesman told me several times to ALWAYS use the parking brake and that he did, especially in the Prius.