People Who Don't Use Their Parking Brake?

[irman]

Originally Posted by jimmy12345678

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.

Only a valid argument IF and WHEN you do it in the right sequence.

1 - Stop the car and leave it in "Drive"
2 - Step on the brake pedal to keep the car from rolling backwards or forwards.
3 - Maintain pressure on the foot brake and place the car in "Neutral"
3 - Step on or apply the parking brake fully, then let go of the regular foot brake.
4 - The car should now be able to 'hang' on the parking brake.
4 - Finally, place the Automatic Transmission on the "Park" position.

Again, the car should be "hanging" on the parking brake and not on the locking pin of the Automatic Transmission!

[J Baustian]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

I don't remember of "one single" place where I had to park any of my automobiles on an incline, so it is not needed.

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, and you will only be stopped for a few minutes, and you don't want to shut off the engine, then the parking brake comes in very handy.

[IMBACKAGAIN]

Been driving for 30 years. Have never used a parking brake on an automatic. Used it on my Stick but it' unnecessary on an auto unless you are on a steep hil which we don't have many of here in the ****-cago area.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by jcp123

Hills make a difference. My e-brake or in-gear barely holds my driveway on their own. And think about our friends in the Sierras, Rockies, or Appalachia. You’d want to have both working.

Yes, my husband learned to drive in Nebraska, although in Omaha where there are a few hills. I learned to drive in the Pittsburgh suburbs. I use the brake all the time; he rarely uses it. I told him, where I learned to drive, you don't contemplate your navel about whether or not you need to use it, you just do! He gives me flak for using it in the garage. (We live in the Denver area now, in a hilly area, but yes, the garage floor is flat.)