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I don't understand people who say "What do I need a parking brake for, my car's an automatic" or any such sentiment like that, and view them as unnecessary. I can cite a couple examples right off the top of my head where having a parking brake is helpful/vital.
1. When parking on a hill. Not only does it lock the two rear wheels and make the car more secure when parking on an incline, but in automatic cars they'll be very difficult to get out of park, as the weight of the vehicle is putting the parking paw on a bind and holding the vehicle back instead of the e-brake.
Obviously you should always cut your wheels toward the curb when parking downhill, and away from the curb when going uphill. That's another thing I've seen people not do, something that a simple driver's ed course would've taught them, or a knowledgeable person teaching them to drive.
2. If you happen to blow a brake line your parking brake will help you stop (Duh!)
I think in the end it comes down to something I've made numerous threads about: Cheapness and apathy
IMO, too many people have the attitude of "I don't care about my car or if things are broken, I just need something to get me from A to B". Taking pride in ownership, regardless of whether we're talking about cars, household items, or whatever else, seems to have died off long ago and people just don't care anymore. There's a culture of "I just want enough to barely scrap by and never aspire to do anything beyond that" that's taken over this country.
I've also heard people being afraid to use it because of the fear of something seizing up, which has happened to me when doing vehicle inspections (they must work and hold the vehicle in order to pass in my state). But again, I'd blame that on dumb owners that never set them in the first place, allowing things to seize up, rather than this idea that parking brakes are not needed or useful.
You would not believe how many customers I've had that complained when I failed them for inspection because their parking brake either didn't work (broken cable, shoe linings gone, etc.) or doesn't hold (improperly adjusted, seized caliper). They get indignant, saying "Why does my parking brake need to work? I don't even use it!"
Well, according to state law, it has to work properly in order to pass inspection, so either fix it or take your reject sticker. They act like I'm ripping them off when I'm just doing my job, and ensuring I keep my inspection license. Have seen a few of my former colleagues lose theirs or get fined for passing piles of junk, likely to "help out" one of their friends.
There is very little need for a parking brake in an automatic, the exception being steep hills. In my manual cars, I always did in gear and parking brake. Manuals can pop out of gear. Autos, not so much.
I always use it on an incline of any sort. Maybe it's because I've driven both manuals and automatics, and used it in both, but I prefer not to take the chance. I tend to be more of a risk avoider than many people because I wasn't raised with a silver spoon, and even now can't afford a major disaster caused by a rogue car rolling down/uphill. What I find too often is people don't really tend to think about their stupid actions having consequences, like people that drink and drive. If I did that, I'd probably end up homeless because I couldn't work, couldn't pay the fines which means I couldn't drive, and that would be that. Most others would have parents/SO bail them out I guess...
Last edited by Loveswater_outdoors; 10-13-2019 at 08:45 PM..
Reason: Elaboration
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