How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

[DJ]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

On absolutely flat ground-NO.

Anything with a bit of a grade-absolutely.

If people could see the inside of a transmission and what a "Parking Pawl" looked like, they would set the brake. That's not to say that those puny Parking Pawls don't do a heck of a job. They were/are not meant to hold vehicle loads on an a grade.

READ THE OWNERS MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Taboo as that might sound, you may learn something.

Mrs. DJ and I grew up driving stick shifts. Some say-WAZZAT?

It became a well grounded habit to get into. Another thing we do, when parking on a grade, is to turn the front wheels so that any failure "curbs" the car.

 

[eavega]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I got into the habit of setting the parking break every time from driving standard shift vehicles for the last 18 years. Ticks the wife on to no end when I borrow the minivan and set the break!

-E

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

On absolutely flat groung-NO.

Anything with a bit of a grade-absolutely.

If people could see the inside of a transmission and what a "Parking Pawl" looked like, they would set the brake. That's not to say that those puny Parking Pawls don't do a heck of a job. ThHey were/are not meant to hold vehicle loads on an a grade.

READ THE OWNERS MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Taboo as that might sound, you may learn something.

Mrs. DJ and I grew up driving stick shifts. Some say-WAZZAT!

It became a well grounded habit to get into. Another thing we do, when parking on a grade, is to turn the front wheels so that any failure "curbs" the car.

+1^

 

[drrpm]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

My car and truck are both manuals so I always set the brake on them. On the rare occasions that I drive the minivan which is an automatic I don't.

 

[JRJ]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I had one freeze once and that was plenty, so I don't use them.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

The funny thing is, the number one reason parking brakes stick on is lack of use.

I use them on steep grade but rarely on a flat ground.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I use my parking brake every time. Only time I have problems with it sticking is if I had to dunk the brakes while launching and the shoes rust to the drums while parked. It doesn't happen all the time, couple times a year.

 

[i386]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

On an incline, yes. At the boat ramp, absolutely every time. On level ground, I usually just put it in Park.

Parking in my driveway is on an incline. I put it in park then set the parking brake. When I go to leave, there is a good bit of resistance and a clunk when I pull it from Park to Reverse. I wonder if there is something I can do to prevent this?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

When I go to leave, there is a good bit of resistance and a clunk when I pull it from Park to Reverse.

I've had that happen before.

Set the parking brake first, then shift into park. When leaving, stomp on the brakes, pull the parking brake then shift into reverse. If the parking brake is holding, it won't allow the tranny's parking pawl to bind. If shifting it into reverse/drive still makes a pop then you need the brakes adjusted.

 

[i386]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I've had that happen before.

Set the parking brake first, then shift into park. When leaving, stomp on the brakes, pull the parking brake then shift into reverse. If the parking brake is holding, it won't allow the tranny's parking pawl to bind. If shifting it into reverse/drive still makes a pop then you need the brakes adjusted.

Thanks. I will give that a shot. Hopefully I haven't caused much premature wear on the parking pawl.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I use mine sporadically at best here in the salt belt. Never had one seize. Must be the Krown spray keeping it lubed.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

If you live in Michigan or any other state that uses salt to deice the roads, you can not use your parking brake unless,
1 you have new cables installed every couple years,
2 you have a brand new vehicle.

Set the brake in MI and you need a tow to get it fixed because its stuck on for ever.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

It's pretty plat around here so I don't set it. When I park on a hill I set it but then I forget to take it off.

 

[bowman316]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

we salt the roads in md, and we live in a salty rusty environment as well. and my brake never sticks. My truck is a 1995 rust bucket too. I think the only reason it does not stick is becasuse i use it every day.

now watch my break stick now that i'm cocky about it.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

A light coat of wheel bearing grease every fall on the exposed cable. In Utah, they don't just use salt for snow melt, it's more like a marinade for your car. But I do use my parking brake in the winter in my neighborhood, I pre-load it about two clicks before I start down my hill on snowy mornings (6-18"!). Sets the brake bias more towards the rear with less tendency to push while braking and steering.

 

[12vMan]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

Only when on a steep incline, even though I drive an automatic with the P word

 

[bowman316]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

i never would have tried to use the parking break while going down a steep incline on snow. I would just try to use 1st gear to get engine braking, and not step on the brakes.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

Never have, Never will.

Even when I drove a manual I always left it in 1st gear, handbrake off.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

I use it on all my vehicles when parked on ANYTHING short of perfectly flat.

(I also once owned a '91 Buick Regal. Those of you who had that vintage GM W body car surely know what I'm talkin' about)

1990 Lumina owner's dittos here! Thank goodness GM doesn't use that rear disc system any more!

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: How many people set thier parking brake every time they park?

A light coat of wheel bearing grease every fall on the exposed cable. In Utah, they don't just use salt for snow melt, it's more like a marinade for your car. But I do use my parking brake in the winter in my neighborhood, I pre-load it about two clicks before I start down my hill on snowy mornings (6-18"!). Sets the brake bias more towards the rear with less tendency to push while braking and steering.

I don't understand how the parking brake or any other preload can work. None of the brakes will grab untill the pressure is equal, or proportionally equal in all four, reguardless of how close or far the pads or shoes are from the rotor or drum. If I've missed something in hydraulics class, please educate me.