# Do you use your parking brake? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285 "2023-04-27T18:01:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/1 "2023-04-27T18:01:50Z")
We’ve done this before but not for eleven years and it’s possible relevant best practice is different now. My kids are learning to drive and their instructor demands they use the parking brake. I NEVER use my parking brake - I honestly cannot recall ever using it on my current car. It seems pointless; back in the day when I had a car with a manual transmission I used it, but I never have otherwise. Does it really make a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/2 "2023-04-27T18:10:37Z")
Can’t say whether I should be doing it, but I don’t unless I’m on a slope. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/3 "2023-04-27T18:12:49Z")
My EV doesn’t even have a parking brake I can engage myself. All I can do is put it in park. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/4 "2023-04-27T18:14:28Z")
My driveway has a slight slope so I usually do at home. It’s become such a habit I do it pretty much everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/5 "2023-04-27T18:16:28Z")
I use my parking brake all the time. It’s probably just habit from the days when I drove a stick. I do it without even thinking about it, like putting on my seat belt. Another reason I use the parking brake is that I park in the driveway, which has a slight incline. I’ve always heard you should use a parking brake so as to not put so much load on the transmission when it’s in Park. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/6 "2023-04-27T18:20:07Z")
I never use mine except in extreme parking circumstances. I’m born and raised in the flatlands of Illinois. My wife comes from Virginia and always uses hers. She also used to always drive manual transmissions which might make a difference. I’ve only ever owned automatic transmissions. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/7 "2023-04-27T18:21:37Z")
Is it possible I don’t even have one? I drive a 2020 Toyota Corrolla, and I’ve never noticed one. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/8 "2023-04-27T18:21:38Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > My EV doesn’t even have a parking brake I can engage myself. All I can do is put it in park. - Don’t most(all?) newer cars have an automatic electronic brake that engages with the park position? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/9 "2023-04-27T18:23:45Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Is it possible I don’t even have one? I drive a 2020 Toyota Corrolla, and I’ve never noticed one. Bottom, left button in this picture. [![](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i123736962/2020_toyota_corolla_hybrid_gearshift.jpg) ](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i123736962/2020_toyota_corolla_hybrid_gearshift.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/10 "2023-04-27T18:25:29Z")
I had to look up with that “B” is on that shift. Apparently it’s for engine braking. My WAG is that it’s the same as older cars that you could drop into 2 and 1. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/11 "2023-04-27T18:26:08Z")
The risk of not using a parking brake traditionally was that an automatic transmission in “Park” basically locked either the front or rear wheels with a pin which, under stress, could potentially shear off. Newer cars may not have that issue. The other risk is that a parking brake that is rarely used could eventually jam when you do use it (due to corrosion) according to a mechanic who redid my rear brakes a few years ago. I probably don’t use mine anywhere near often enough but it was OK the last time I used it. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/12 "2023-04-27T18:27:15Z")
I used to with the hand lever in the center area, but rarely now that mine is a foot parking brake. Usually when I do it’s only when on a significant incline/ferry/servicing now. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/13 "2023-04-27T18:33:44Z")
My current car is a 2016 model and I have never engaged the parking brake. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/14 "2023-04-27T18:42:55Z")
(A lot of newer automatic cars have a feature where if you are stopped but do not have the car in park, and you open the driver door, the parking brake automatically engages.) Could be the driver instructor is getting them in the habit of using it because it is checked on the state driver’s test. My son took his test about a year ago and one of the things they check is having you park on a mildly sloping street, turn the wheels the proper way, and set the parking brake. If you miss the parking brake it’s an automatic fail. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/15 "2023-04-27T18:48:57Z")
100% of the time in every vehicle that has ever had them (my motos do not for example). It’s a habit, but a good habit. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/16 "2023-04-27T18:54:55Z")
I live on a small hill so I always use it when parking a home ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/17 "2023-04-27T19:00:30Z")
I have used it on the rare occasions when I park on a significant slope. However, every time I have used the parking brake, I have driven off with the parking brake still on. EVERY SINGLE TIME. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/18 "2023-04-27T19:08:20Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Could be the driver instructor is getting them in the habit of using it because it is checked on the state driver’s test Provincial, but clearly that’s something to consider; they teach to the test. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/19 "2023-04-27T19:08:38Z")
I use mine frequently in a few different scenarios. 1. When idling (e.g. waiting for someone while parked), I prefer the car to be in Neutral and the parking brake on, versus the car in Park and the parking brake off. The rationale is explained by **Wolfpup** above – to keep stress off of the transmission’s **[parking pawl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_pawl#:~:text=A%20parking%20pawl%20is%20a,placed%20in%20the%20Park%20position.)**. 1. This might be a variant of #1: When waiting in a slow-moving drive-through line, my foot gets tired keeping the brake pressed down for several minutes on end. Instead, I put the car in Neutral and apply the parking brake. Then when it’s time to creep up, I put the car back in Drive and release the parking brake. Rinse, repeat as necessary. 2. Sometimes I will park with the engine idling and have to leave the driver’s seat for a bit to grab something out of the back or to check a tire or something. I will then put the car in Park AND apply the parking brake – I want to be doubly sure that the car won’t start rolling. Should I instead park and turn off the engine to do this stuff. Maybe. Probably. It’s always a spur-of-the-moment thing and I’m not able in the now to explain why I keep the car running. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/20 "2023-04-27T19:12:02Z")
Nope, but the Midwest is flatter than Hepburn, so who would think to use it? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285.md?page=2)