I always use the e-brake and rarely leave it in gear.

None of my vehicles are automatic transmissions, so no "Park" position for me.

 

Both, always. No matter how level, its habit.

In answer to your question, it doesn't matter honestly unless you think you may be on a bit of a slope, in which case ^^.

 

Same as Matt, I always use both, don't realize I do it, just habit. It gets left in whatever gear it's in when I park, could be 1st could be 4th, and the brake pulled.

Same when I had my Auto 4Runner, pulled the brake and threw it in Park.

It's not like it's hard labor, it takes about 1/10 of a second to pull it. I think it would take more effort and time to remember and decide to turn your wheels towards the curb.

 

i've always pulled the e-brake. 30 years of driving manuals in warm climates, cold climates, hills and flat land. now its a habit. my truck seems not to mind.

the only issue that i have is i currently live in a cold climate and sometimes during the winter the dash light stays on, even tho' the brake is disengaged. the handle has a little "give" and doesn't go all the way in. i've had this looked at and was told to be careful because there might be ice somewhere along the cable (?) preventing it from going all the way in. i haven't ever had a garage to park it in and its always been outside. brakes seem to be fine and i've not had problems with the brakes freezing. i just ignore the light and still use the e-brake.

p.s.: i appreciate the explanations for why this is a good thing or not. former bf would take serious issue with me for using my brake instead of just using the gear, like he did. other than my being "disobedient" and not "listening" he offered no other reason for not using the e-brake other than the dash light thingy. thanks ya'll for the input.

 

I do both regardless of auto or manual. A manual won't prevent the vehicle from creeping on an incline. Since the auto doesn't lock the shifter with the key out, it's a little too easy to knock it out of park. So it's a good idea to use the e-brake for an auto.

The way I keep the auto from sticking in park on a hill is to hold the brakes, set the emergency brakes, then place it in park. To release: hold the brakes, place in gear, and release the e-brake. No bang or lurch.

In case you haven't figured it out, rocking the steering wheel makes the key easier to turn when you park with the wheels cocked.

 

I follow my intuition. That seems to always put me in the right decision.

I never use the P brake in either the auto or manual unless on a hill or I have substantial amount of weight or w/trailer in tow. On particularly steep hills, if I have to park there, I will even find something to chuck the wheel.

IRK's method for the auto is what I've come to learn to do over the years. Otherwise, the banging is rather unnerving.

 

i bought my truck 6 years ago with a broken e-brake. the guy i bought it from said the cable was broke. no big deal, right? then i started to look into more detail with it, and found that the entire wedge system going into the drum is rusted solid. so i said screw it and did nothing. it's a PITA every now and then, such as anytime i want my engine running but me not in the drivers seat, but 99% of the time, i've got good enough compression to hold me in place in either reverse or 2nd gear (my first gear pops out of gear) even if i'm on an incline.

 

I used to use both, but my brake cable has broke twice. It's a pain occasionally, but I'm too lazy and cheap to fix it again.

 

For those in the rust belt, never using the e-brake can lead to a seized cable (this is from experience). I'm in the habit of using mine all the time, but it's good to use it at least occasionally just so the mechanism moves every once in a while.

 

I always park e-brake on out of gear.

When I get a new to me Toyota 4x4 first thing I do is fix the e-brake most often keep all that stuff on hand .

Your light may be staying on due to the front cable starting to fray I have seen that happen.

I am looking at a idea to cure the ebrake seizing up from lack of use. time will tell

 

A motor can always turn, 3000lbs of truck will always beat 140lbs of compression and a park pin can always break. I've always thought more is better. Using the ebrake is also how most rear brakes adjust themselves. Not to mention it's harder to steel you back wheels if the parking brake is on, I know from experience.

 

Wheel thief!!! ^^^^

 

 

Lack of use isn't good for anything machanical.

 

No not me. I came out one morning and the front of my Nissan was laying on the ground. The back wheels were missing their lugs but they couldn't pull them off because the ebrake was on. Of coarse the wheels I had were discontinued, so I eneded up with these (centerline Cobras).

 

Why not just use both, seems simple enough to me.

I use a parking brake in an automatic all the time, I just dont like the fact of a little 2 inch long parking prawl holding the entire weight of my vehicles, also its easier on motor mounts, because the engine wont be tourqued as much. Its not like it hurts anything to use it, so why not.

I can understand the cold climate guys and gals, but me down here in south east texas, where there are no hills, I use both, always, in both of my trucks!

 

I use both on both trucks (Nissans a 5 spepd, Toyotas an auto). On the 5 speed I always use reverse as my "park" gear. Beign in western PA, not using them tends to see alot of frozen, non-operational e-brakes(whick need to work for state insp anyway). Being a wrecker driver I also see a bit of automatics "stuck" in park due to the weight on the park pin on hills. People who don't like to use them on hills with autos, don't stop what your doeing. I like easy money

 

I know its getting off topic but how would having your e-brake on make removing wheels any harder?

If anything it would make it easier since the wheel wouldn't be turning as you removed the lug nuts.

 

That's a good point ^. . .

 

Well, they were discontinued. Soooo, maybe the thief had two of his stolen and only needed two?