# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/21 "2023-04-27T19:16:28Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > However, every time I have used the parking brake, I have driven off with the parking brake still on. EVERY SINGLE TIME. You can take the poster out of Saskatchewan, but you can’t take Saskatchewan out of the boy. Why put in a brake when the ground is level? ---
**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, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/22 "2023-04-27T19:17:38Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > [@hogarth](#): > > > > However, every time I have used the parking brake, I have driven off with the parking brake still on. EVERY SINGLE TIME. > > You can take the poster out of Saskatchewan, but you can’t take Saskatchewan out of the boy. > > Why put in a brake when the ground is level? - Because it might not be as level as you think. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/23 "2023-04-27T19:20:06Z")
It’s pretty much an instinct at this point. Put the car in Park, pull the handbrake. 20+ years of driving a standard probably put me into that habit, but I don’t see any reason to break(heh) it. If I am in someone else’s car and we stop on any sort of hill, the car rolls back and lurches as the transmission catches. I just don’t think that is good for the transmission. ---
**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, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/24 "2023-04-27T19:20:39Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why put in a brake when the ground is level? SE Louisiana is also pretty flat … BUT: A lot of people post-Katrina have elevated homes, even in the cities. I don’t mean on stilts … I mean having the foundation raised three feet or so. This has led to a proliferation of inclined driveways in residential areas. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/25 "2023-04-27T19:29:26Z")
I always use my parking brake. I did even when I didn’t have a driveway with a major slope, as I now do. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/26 "2023-04-27T19:33:09Z")
I always use the parking brake when I park my Mustang. It has a standard (manual) transmission, and I also leave it in gear when I shut down the car, so I might not technically need the parking break, but at this point, it’s 42 years of habit. It’s a rare thing for me to be parking on a hill, thanks to just how flat the Chicago area is. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/27 "2023-04-27T19:33:37Z")
Like others, I only use it very rarely, when I park on an incline. Then I forget about it and [pull a Hedburg](https://youtu.be/kMKV1B0vuI8/). ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/28 "2023-04-27T19:36:27Z")
I have a Chevy Volt. I put on the (electric) parking brake all the time; it disengages automatically when I drive off. The transmission on this thing is so complicated/expensive that I figure I should be protecting it from undue stress. On the Tesla S, the parking brake is automatic, but in winter the rear brakes tend to stick to the discs. So on winter mornings my hubby has to press the accelerator until the brakes get unstuck with a loud CLUNK. Very classy. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/29 "2023-04-27T19:39:38Z")
Always, it’s never occurred to me to do otherwise. Is there any reason not to use the parking brake, other than the convenience of not taking the time? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/30 "2023-04-27T19:41:52Z")
I use my parking brake every time I park. And I’ve never driven a manual transmission in my life. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/31 "2023-04-27T19:51:01Z")
Manual, automatic, hill, flat . . .I always use it. I’m another one who just does it automatically. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/32 "2023-04-27T19:59:20Z")
Always have. My son has a car with the step on parking brake that I hadn’t seen in years. Even when I remember it’s there it’s a step to release also that I only remember after fumbling around first for a console brake and then pull handle under the dash. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/33 "2023-04-27T20:00:29Z")
Always. I learned on a stick shift, and I live in the land of hills. My mechanic father-in-law recommended it, as well. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/34 "2023-04-27T20:01:01Z")
Always use it. Grew used to it when learning, habit has stuck. Must express dissatisfaction though with the electronic pushbutton type that self-releases (or self-sets on selecting P on an automatic). Just feels wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/35 "2023-04-27T20:04:04Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > stop on any sort of hill, the car rolls back and lurches as the transmission catches. I just don’t think that is good for the transmission. Yea, I’ve heard you should do the following when parking on a hill: 1. Car comes to a stop. Right foot is still on the brake. 2. Put transmission in park (if automatic) or reverse (if manual). 3. Engage parking brake. 4. Remove right foot from brake. Car is now resting on parking brake instead of transmission gear. 5. Shut off car. You do the reverse when leaving. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/36 "2023-04-27T20:04:37Z")
Not since I drove a stick. I also go to the bathroom inside after I set the car to fill itself. Note that this is often in sub-freezing weather. I’ve been filling my car up since '76, and was a pump jockey too. I have NEVER seen the hose fall out. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/37 "2023-04-27T20:38:06Z")
I do it automatically and don’t release the foot brake till it is on. I drove stick more than half my driving life and it is automatic. ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/38 "2023-04-27T20:50:17Z")
My hatchback with manual transmission: Yes, I always set the parking brake and leave the transmission in gear. My commuter car: The parking brake is automatic, exactly like the photo in post #9. I hear a motor engage it when I shift to P. My minivan: I usually use the park brake, but I’m out of the habit since I got used to the automatic park brake in the other car. I put it in P, and then I take my foot off the main brake and everyone complains that the van rolls an inch while they’re exiting. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/39 "2023-04-27T20:51:05Z")
On my 2017 Audi, the parking brake is essentially a button. But if I park on any sort of slope, the car sets the parking brake automatically. I have to disengage it before it will let me drive off. I have very occasionally set the parking brake myself (maybe a handful of times over 5 years) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285/40 "2023-04-27T21:07:15Z")
I use the handbrake not only when parked, but at any stop sign or red light or any other situation where the car is coming to a complete stop. Doing so is part of the driving test here, and anyway is good sense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-your-parking-brake/983285.md?page=3)