Handbrakes on automatic transmissions cars

[1prophet]

On steep inclines use the parking brake first then put in park, sometimes the vehicle weight will prevent you from getting out of park since the weight jams the pawl and makes it difficult to get out of park, sometimes to the point that the vehicle needs a push.

Ever have trouble getting your transmission out of Park when parking on a grade because the parking pawl in the tranny is jammed against its gear? Setting the parking brake before putting the trans in Park and letting the car roll forward will prevent this.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: 1prophet
On steep inclines use the parking brake first then put in park, sometimes the vehicle weight will prevent you from getting out of park since the weight jams the pawl and makes it difficult to get out of park, sometimes to the point that the vehicle needs a push.

Ever have trouble getting your transmission out of Park when parking on a grade because the parking pawl in the tranny is jammed against its gear? Setting the parking brake before putting the trans in Park and letting the car roll forward will prevent this.

My first car did that! It got stuck in Park if I parked it on a hill, and I literally had to get out behind the car and rock it out of gear. Quite annoying!

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

What was the final answer though?

 

[PottedMeat]

How can you not tell the E-brake is on? Dont they notice the bright red ( ! ) on the console when they turn the key?

 

[StinkyPinky]

I learned to drive in a manual so I always apply the handbrake even though I drive an auto now.

 

[FreshPrince]

husband drives husband's car, wife drives wife's car...neither one touches the other car

profit!

:laugh:

 

[mitaiwan82]

I use the handbrake on automatics, because that's what I learned from my parents, who learned to drive on manuals.

I rent a lot of cars, but I don't always know everything about them. So a lot of times, I drive for like ten miles with the emergency brake on. That doesn't say a lot for me, but it really doesn't say a lot for the emergency brake. It's really not an emergency brake, it's an emergency "make the car smell funny" lever. RIP Mitch

 

[Jawo]

Manual cars FTW!!!

 

[DivideBYZero]

The red light and insane screeching beep tells me to release the Handbrake. What did she do? Pop he iPod on for the trip?

 

[TheSource]

well you should use it on a hill for sure. youll have a hell of a time getting it out of park if you dont

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: TheSource
well you should use it on a hill for sure. youll have a hell of a time getting it out of park if you dont

:thumbsup:



That's the reason.

 

[BlancoNino]

I would never pull the hand-brake on an automatic transmission if it had one, much the same as I would never set the emergency brake on an automatic either unless it was necessary.

 

[vizkiz]

If a car has a hand-operated parking brake, it is pretty much always on after I drive it, even if it's an automatic. Some cars are difficult to get out of park if there is even a slight slope.

If she is too stupid to realize that there is a big stick in her way when she is reaching for the shifter to put it in D, she shouldn't be driving.

 

[nakedfrog]

I've heard in the past that you should apply the parking brake occasionally, otherwise it can fail when you need it.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I've heard in the past that you should apply the parking brake occasionally, otherwise it can fail when you need it.

sounds like a myth to me. i dont know for sure though.

 

[thehstrybean]

I always apply my e-brake when I park, and I drive an auto. Just force of habit. I have a routine when I get in, too. Turn on car, let down e-brake, shift...not that hard to look...

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
This is rather analogous to toilet seats.

Except that if a woman forgets to lift the seat, it doesn't ruin the toilet

 

[vizkiz]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I've heard in the past that you should apply the parking brake occasionally, otherwise it can fail when you need it.

sounds like a myth to me. i dont know for sure though.

On cars with rear drum brakes, they are self-adjusting. Each time you use the brake, it adjusts. It's everytime you brake though, not just use the parking brake.

 

[Canai]

I always set mine.. creature of habit I suppose.

 

[miketheidiot]

i do mine on grades, sometimes out of habit though

 

[Kaervak]

Parking on an incline/decline is when I use. Occassionally, out of habit, on a flat surface too. Regardless, it's pretty hard to miss that it's on since the lever is right next to the seat belt latch and right beind the gear shift.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I've heard in the past that you should apply the parking brake occasionally, otherwise it can fail when you need it.

sounds like a myth to me. i dont know for sure though.

It makes sense in the most basic of ways. Anything that has moving parts should be operated every now and then or else rust, dirt, etc. could accumulate and cause it to seize up.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Woman driver.....says it all. They ruin many a rear brake setup because they are too daft to check for the parking brake. If a woman drives your automatic car regularly you are money ahead just not every applying the parking brake. It really is not necessary with an automatic transmission anyway. People who tell you the parking pawl inside the transmission can break.......have NEVER been inside an automatic transmission obviously. Their chance of breaking is almost non existent.

I don't think it can break the pawl, but I still don't like the idea of the car's weight resting on that little pawl.

And even though it won't break, I've had several occasions where an automatic car has required some pretty severe force to wrench the lever out of Park because of the weight resting on the pawl.

I stand by my position that it is always best to put the transmission in neutral, set the parking brake, release the service brake, and then put the transmission in park.

ZV

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Woman driver.....says it all. They ruin many a rear brake setup because they are too daft to check for the parking brake. If a woman drives your automatic car regularly you are money ahead just not every applying the parking brake. It really is not necessary with an automatic transmission anyway. People who tell you the parking pawl inside the transmission can break.......have NEVER been inside an automatic transmission obviously. Their chance of breaking is almost non existent.

I don't think it can break the pawl, but I still don't like the idea of the car's weight resting on that little pawl.

And even though it won't break, I've had several occasions where an automatic car has required some pretty severe force to wrench the lever out of Park because of the weight resting on the pawl.

I stand by my position that it is always best to put the transmission in neutral, set the parking brake, release the service brake, and then put the transmission in park.

ZV

Agreed. Even if the transmission can hold it, why put stress on something that is really expensive to fix when you could be putting that stress on something that has nearly zero maintenance other than occasionally taking up any slack in the handbrake cable?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Having owned and driven manual transmission cars for over 10 years I got in the habit of setting the parking brake so I still use it religiously...even when the car is parked level in my garage.