Handbrake question (Manual vs. Auto)

[Chaad32]

I just want to know who here actually uses their handbrake when parked. I have heard both ways on wheather or not to use it.

[田中秀樹]

it always up when i park any car either automatic or manual.

[Chris07LB]

My cars that are manual, YES.

My cars that are auto, NO.

[Chaad32]

I did the same thing with my manuals. I also parked out of ger on my manuals though.

[PixieDawn]

I did the same thing with my manuals. I also parked out of ger on my manuals though.

I do the same thing out of gear, with ebrake

[Chaad32]

I was told this was the way to do it. My real concern is that I park on a "hill" sometimes (not a real hill, just at a slight incline). I was worried that when I go to leave the next day and I shift to Reverse it may be hard on the tranny because of the fact that when I put it in park the night before and then let off the brake it rool forward a little (maby 0.5 - 1 inch) and this causes it to shift hard into reverse. This has happened on a lot of cars that I have owned. Anyone else ever heard of this?

[Boo]

I will do the handbrake + steer against the curb when it is incline.
When I park on flat, I will just leave the handbrake off. Since I think the gear is good enough to stop the car from rolling.

[rstb88]

I use the handbrake on hills, or if i park really close to a car and don't want the possibility of rolling into the other car. And emergency slow downs.

[fnkngrv]

I was told this was the way to do it. My real concern is that I park on a "hill" sometimes (not a real hill, just at a slight incline). I was worried that when I go to leave the next day and I shift to Reverse it may be hard on the tranny because of the fact that when I put it in park the night before and then let off the brake it rool forward a little (maby 0.5 - 1 inch) and this causes it to shift hard into reverse. This has happened on a lot of cars that I have owned. Anyone else ever heard of this?


Yup I have too that is why when I park on any incline I place the car in the opposite gear that it is facing plus use the parking brake...other than that I always go nuetral and P brake with every manual that I drive...my wife however does not and that is why she is not allowed to drive my car.:biggrin:

[riceboy]

Manual w/ left in gear and ebrake...
Auto w/ Park and ebrake...

I think the rule of thumb is that you should either always use the ebrake, or never use it at all.

[Sp33dY]

The handbrake is there for a reason! Ive got a manual and use it wihtout the car in gear. On extremely steep slopes, i'll use the handbrake with the car in reverse/1st depending on which way the hill is.

[swng]

I have an auto and I always use the handbrake when I park. I have been told (source forgetten) that the handbrake can do some self adjustment to compensate for wear and tear. The automatic adjustment can only be done when the handbrake is used.

[rstb88]

the auto adjuster is on the rear brakes but has nothing to do with the hand brake itself. if you go in reverse and do a series of quick stops(don't have to go fast) it cause the star adjuster in the drum to click one notch per stop, which adjusts the pads to sit correctly against the drum in the even of braking

[KSIbucky]

manual some times

[MWill517]

Seems I read in the Owners manual "not" to use the e-brake in freezing / icey conditions. As it could freeze and not release. Being in Georgia, I dont think I will ever have that problem. So it is always the e-brake for me.

[ChinoCharles]

I use the handbrake when taking 90+ degree turns at 40+ MPH, but only when I'm bored. Does that count?

I usually just park and put the hand brake on. If I'm on ANY kind of hill, its in gear too. Funny story...

Went to work and parked my 5-speed 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse. There is literally no discernable incline in this lot... it might as well be a glass table. Well, I put my hand brake on 80% of the way, but I thought it was all the way up. Anyway, I went into work and a couple hours later someone came in and told me my car was in the grass and I had to go move it out. It rolled 30 feet across the lot and into a field. Lesson learned... if you want to leave your car out of gear, fine, but make sure the hand brake is on first! Ever since I try ripping the hand brake off when I engage it. Better safe than sorry, no? :redface:

[TRD_Yaris]

I'm all about the e-brake on either Manual or Auto transmission.

"the transmission isn't a kickstand" <--- Greg from Dharma and Greg...

[07WYarisRS]

75% of the time YES

BTW it's an auto

[mikeukrainetz]

Its a great idea on autos to use the ebrake, especially on inclines. Im not 100% sure about newer tranny's but older makes had a parking pin for 'park' if you let the car roll forward onto the pin sometimes it would jamb and take a lot of force to get it back into gear.

[PSU Yaris]

auto and always...i like the sound and plus it doesnt "clunk" into reverse if it rolled back a lil when i parked

[Andrew Chalmers]

ok... this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone not using the handbrake... is this a common American thing? When you park - you use the handbrake. That's just common sense and taught at all driving schools & is a tested behavior in the driving exams.

Is there something I'm unaware of?

[ChinoCharles]

Holy push-your-nose-up-in-the-air. Excuse us, Mr. Chalmers. Would you like a crumpet to go with your apparent social ineptitude?

For MANUAL, you should always use the handbrake. Yes, you can leave it in gear in a flat lot and it probably won't run away on you, but all that weight applied right to the gearbox can't be good for your car.

For AUTO, I owned a Cadillac STS and my family has always been an automatic-only kind of crowd, and I have never once seen them use the handbrake and I myself never used the handbrake on my Caddy. It never rolled away and the tranny never exploded.

Granted, I never went to driving school. I'm admittedly less-than-proper. :rolleyes:

[rstb88]

On June 23, 2006 I recently completed a drivers course and NO WHERE in that book did it state you have to use the ebrake. And my test person never checked to see if the ebrake was used.

[Bones]

For auto, when you put the gear into park a SMALL pin in the tranny engages.

The proper way when you're parking is:
1) Press on brake (of course)
2) Engage parking brake
3) Shift to park

The proper way when you're moving from park
1) Press on brake
2) Shift to drive or reverse
3) Dis-engage parking brake

This way the car won't move, especially when you're on a hill, and lean/ stress the pin inside the tranmission

[07WYarisRS]

Oh I though the question was do you use your hand brake to PARK...

as in drive the oposite direction steer in, couter steer, steer in again (over steer) and yank up the hand brake and spin the car 180 degrees into the parking space.

Either way.

[Chaad32]

Good one 07WYarisRS....that is what I use mine for.

[swng]

the auto adjuster is on the rear brakes but has nothing to do with the hand brake itself. if you go in reverse and do a series of quick stops(don't have to go fast) it cause the star adjuster in the drum to click one notch per stop, which adjusts the pads to sit correctly against the drum in the even of braking
But you may also use the handbrake to achieve that, right:smile:?
Please see: http://www.echodrivers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6455&start=0.
I am not trying to debate as (after reading the information you wrote) I have learned that the rear brake self adjuster has nothing to do with the handbrake itself. Thanks for that. I just think the information in the link may be relevant and may interest other members discussing on this thread.
Simply put, using the handbrake for parking may result in some good side effects which may include rear brake self adjustment:smile:.
As for whether the Yaris has a self adjusting handbrake, now I am not so sure. Probably some may have that though (please see the last post done on 06 Jan 06 through the quoted link).
Note: We have members from many parts of the world and they drive different versions of the Yaris. It's so hard to cover all bases:tongue: :smile:.

[ECHOKnight2000]

I've always used the handbrake since I could drive and still do use my handbrake and I have an auto...my parents use it so...not to say they are always right, but just growing up that way...I read that its hard on the tranny cause its holding the weight of the car, but maybe that's for manual than auto??? I remember I was test driving an xB and the sales guy was with me and when I was done, out of habit I put the handbrake on, he was like you don't need to do that...I was like why? I guess you don't need to do it with an auto but I just do it out of habbit, yes I'm crazy!:biggrin: :tongue:

P.S. does any one know if it makes a difference with an auto?? I wouldn't think so...maybe i'm a caution freak.:eek: :eek:

[swng]

For auto, when you put the gear into park a SMALL pin in the tranny engages.

The proper way when you're parking is:
1) Press on brake (of course)
2) Engage parking brake
3) Shift to park

The proper way when you're moving from park
1) Press on brake
2) Shift to drive or reverse
3) Dis-engage parking brake

This way the car won't move, especially when you're on a hill, and lean/ stress the pin inside the tranmission
Makes very good sense:thumbsup:! I follow these steps myself. I would recommend to fellow members to follow them, especially when parking on slopes.
Note: I am only recommending these steps. In the community where I live, I believe there are lots of people who do not use their handbrakes when parking, especially when they have automatic transmissions and when they are not parking on slopes. I personnally do not have a problem with that.

[Chaad32]

For auto, when you put the gear into park a SMALL pin in the tranny engages.

The proper way when you're parking is:
1) Press on brake (of course)
2) Engage parking brake
3) Shift to park

The proper way when you're moving from park
1) Press on brake
2) Shift to drive or reverse
3) Dis-engage parking brake

This way the car won't move, especially when you're on a hill, and lean/ stress the pin inside the tranmission

I agree with you....makes good sense.

[Andrew Chalmers]

Holy push-your-nose-up-in-the-air. Excuse us, Mr. Chalmers. Would you like a crumpet to go with your apparent social ineptitude?


What did I say that was offensive:confused: ? In my country we have a standardized testing/licensing/learning system - and that is what everyone is taught. I asked a question - where was the holy push your nose up in the air/social ineptitude?

[Chaad32]

Good to see that most of the manual people out ther are using the handbrake. I'v started using it on my Auto and I do believe it is better for the tranny.