Parking Brake; To Use or Not to Use
11-12-2009, 11:13 AM
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Parking Brake; To Use or Not to Use
Out of habit, I always set my parking brake whenever I park. Yet I have ridden with people who insist leaving the truck in gear is better. They have never bothered to explain exactly why though.
So my question is, what are the pros and cons of using the parking brake as opposed to leaving it in gear?
FWIW, I live in a very flat area, where there is pretty much zero chance of the truck rolling away more than a few feet. I have parked on really steep hills before and am fully aware that leaving it in gear, plus using the parking brake, as well as angling the front wheels toward the curb is the only safe bet in that situation.
But what would be best for parking in reasonably flat areas like where I live?
So my question is, what are the pros and cons of using the parking brake as opposed to leaving it in gear?
FWIW, I live in a very flat area, where there is pretty much zero chance of the truck rolling away more than a few feet. I have parked on really steep hills before and am fully aware that leaving it in gear, plus using the parking brake, as well as angling the front wheels toward the curb is the only safe bet in that situation.
But what would be best for parking in reasonably flat areas like where I live?
11-12-2009, 11:19 AM
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Just use the parking brake, it doesn't really matter except that only leaving it in gear without the parking brake engaged may or may not be illegal depending on where you are. In a flat area where it has no chance of rolling in the same direction as the gear it's left in, it shouldn't really matter, but personally, I'd engage it if leaving the vehicle for more than a few minutes. Running after a rolling vehicle because you didn't engage the parking brake (or put it in PARK if auto) is NEVER fun.
11-12-2009, 01:42 PM
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I was taught to put parking break on and put it in gear opposing the direction of slope at all times. I don't know if that is the right thing to do but it is what I was taught.
11-12-2009, 01:49 PM
#6
Assuming the stock parking brake setup, the pros of using it are that it is what adjusts the rear brake shoes as the wear, plus it gives added security while parked. Cons are in icy areas, if you apply the brake when the shoes are wet, they can freeze to the drums and make it hard to get moving in some cases.
11-12-2009, 05:39 PM
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4Crawler always comes with the good knowledge
It shouldn't be too difficult to fix a broken parking break cable. I know with my pickup everything is out in the open.
It shouldn't be too difficult to fix a broken parking break cable. I know with my pickup everything is out in the open.
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11-12-2009, 05:57 PM
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Assuming the stock parking brake setup, the pros of using it are that it is what adjusts the rear brake shoes as the wear, plus it gives added security while parked. Cons are in icy areas, if you apply the brake when the shoes are wet, they can freeze to the drums and make it hard to get moving in some cases.
11-12-2009, 06:11 PM
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Do both. Using the E-brake is a good habit to have. If you have that habit you won't forget when you do go somewhere where there are hills.
X2 on helping the rear brakes to adjust.
X2 on helping the rear brakes to adjust.
11-12-2009, 06:50 PM
#12
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4crawler hit it spot on..LOL
although i used mine (by accident one night) when it was about 7* outside..and it frose..there for i had to disconnect it to get it unstuck..
that same night i had been through some deep-ish water..(about 2 ft) and i got some water in my rear diff (just the rear??)..and when i put it in gear to back up the next morning...it wouldn't go anywhere!?!?!..at all..because the gears were frozen together inside the diff..lol..i had to bring it up to about 3000rpms and pop the clutch to break it loose....and guys..lemme tell ya..that noise did NOOTTTTTTT sound good at ALLL...but everything is fine so far!!!..no metal shavings!
although i used mine (by accident one night) when it was about 7* outside..and it frose..there for i had to disconnect it to get it unstuck..
that same night i had been through some deep-ish water..(about 2 ft) and i got some water in my rear diff (just the rear??)..and when i put it in gear to back up the next morning...it wouldn't go anywhere!?!?!..at all..because the gears were frozen together inside the diff..lol..i had to bring it up to about 3000rpms and pop the clutch to break it loose....and guys..lemme tell ya..that noise did NOOTTTTTTT sound good at ALLL...but everything is fine so far!!!..no metal shavings!
11-12-2009, 07:13 PM
#13
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I just throw mine in 1st or 2nd and call it good, unless im on a hill or slope. What i dont get is people cranking up on the e brake when there car/truck is an automatic.
Ive always been told, use the e brake when on a hill, otherwise just throw it in park/gear.
Ive always been told, use the e brake when on a hill, otherwise just throw it in park/gear.
11-12-2009, 07:51 PM
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Assuming the stock parking brake setup, the pros of using it is that it adjusts the rear brake shoes as they wear, plus it gives added security while parked. Cons are in icy areas, if you apply the brake when the shoes are wet, they can freeze to the drums and make it hard to get moving in some cases.
11-12-2009, 08:12 PM
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I learned in drivers ed years ago to always put the brake on before putting it in park with an auto tranny because if your on a hill it could be hard to get it out of park with the weight of the car on the parking tab in the tranny.
11-12-2009, 08:12 PM
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11-12-2009, 08:35 PM
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i use my ebrake in my automatic car so all the pressure isnt on the parking pawl of the trans, ever pulled an auto out of park on a hill? makes a nice noise and lurch. Then again im just anal like that.
11-12-2009, 08:50 PM
#20
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Put it in neutral, set e brake, take your foot off the brake (to see if youve got the brake on good), then put it in park.
Last edited by Tubbyfatty; 11-12-2009 at 08:51 PM.
