Do You Use The Emergency Brake?

[Radioman]

When I was in my early 20's I drove a '73 MG Midget for a couple of years. The parking brake was nearly useless (as were the rear drum brakes) so I kept a folding Toyota wheel chock behind the seat. The car was so low and small I could reach the rear wheel from the driver's seat to place & unplace the chock.

Reminds me of a Triumph TR3 I bought not long after I was discharged from the NAVY. I could pick up the newspaper without opening the door.

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[RANGER_MARC]

Early on in my driving days, I got stuck in Park while parked on a hill and had to get help to rock the car while attempting to get it out of Park, with a loud bang! And after seeing the fragile-looking Park pawl and detent in most automatic transmissions, I got in the habit of applying the emergency brake every time I parked, even in the garage; old semi truck habit.

I noted "rarely," that is, hardly ever but not never: Only when parking on a hill but generally, no, not worth the trouble,

 

[Jim C]

Because if you loose hydraulic pressure on your brakes, you still have an emergency brake that uses a cable attached to your brakes.

well im not going to start arguing semantics

 

[awd.nv]

Every time, on hills I apply the parking brake before I shift into park. It was a habit before I was a tech but having seen how tiny the trans park lock is on at least Benz trans, I want to depend on it as little as possible.

 

[Apples]

Hand brake, parking brake, or emergency brake, it is all the same thing. The various names depends on how old you are in some respects. But whatever you call it, you should get in the habit of using it every time you park. I guess no one remembers the old Ford transmission fiasco about jumping out of park?

 

[Nick Barber]

I have never EVER used an emergency brake, but I do set the parking brake regularly.

 

[12Bravo20]

I normally do not use the parking brake when on flat ground but do use it all the time when parked on inclines. I'm old school and have the park pawl break on transmissions in the past.

Now during the winter time I will not use it and will try to find the flattest spot to park my vehicles. I hate dealing with a parking brake that is frozen solid with ice.

 

[1pt21gw]

Wait until you get a Bronco. There isn't one.

You can't see it, It's electric!
You gotta feel it, It's electric!
Ooh, it's shakin', It's electric!

You gotta know it, It's electric
Boogie woogie, woogie!
Now you can't hold it, It's electric
Boogie woogie, woogie!

(Sorry, it's Monday)

 

[VAMike]

Wait until you get a Bronco. There isn't one.

Stop and go cruise control option?

 

[Tom_C]

i always wondered why people call a parking brake an emergency brake. Kind of the same reason people say "whats the VIN Number"



just my little rant

NIC card is mine. I think the emergency brake started out as just that, an emergency brake. But, I'm sure everyone knows that already.

 

[D Fresh]

I don't park on the street anywhere, and 99% of places I park are flat.

I don't use the parking brake most of the time for two reasons.

Rotor warpage. Back when I played with SCCA we wouldn't engarge the parking brake in the paddock out of this concern. Even after AutoX runs that only lasted 90 sec. I drive fairly spiritedly, my trips are usually more than 25 miles, and AnvanceTrak seems to use the rear brakes a lot. My brakes are quite toasty when I park.

The second is I don't want my boot to tear.

That being said I use it if parked on hill, especially if the truck is cold. For example, if I pull my truck out of my level garage into the sloped driveway to load the dogs.

 

[silverflash]

yes, this is how i use it:

1) come to a stop.
2) put trans in neutral while holding foot brake.
3) apply parking brake.
4) release foot brake and make sure parking brake holds.
5) apply foot brake and shift into park.
6) shut off engine.

this keeps pressure off the trans parking pawl. it's quick habit after many years of doing it.

if a manual trans:

1) repeat steps 1-4 above.
2)shift into 1st gear
3)turn off engine.
4) release clutch.

never had issues with rolling or trans issues with it being locked in park.

 

[BlackRanger01]

yes, this is how i use it:

1) come to a stop.
2) put trans in neutral while holding foot brake.
3) apply parking brake.
4) release foot brake and make sure parking brake holds.
5) apply foot brake and shift into park.
6) shut off engine.

Why do the step 2 and 4? I'd apply the parking brake first while holding down the foot brake then put the transmission to P then let go foot brake. Just curious.

 

[silverflash]

Why do the step 2 and 4? I'd apply the parking brake first while holding down the foot brake then put the transmission to P then let go foot brake. Just curious.

if you re-read it, it will tell you. but here is the answer:

" and make sure parking brake holds. "

 

[BlackRanger01]

if you re-read it, it will tell you. but here is the answer:

" and make sure parking brake holds. "

I already know by apply the handle and letting go the pedal when it's in P.

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