I was raised to acknowledge setting the parking brake as part of the procedure for parking a car, regardless of what transmission the vehicle was equpiied with. I was taught that it's a safety factor, and honestly believe that it's better to have two systems (the transmission in Park or 1st and the brake set) keeping your vehicle from rolling than it is to only have one; that way, if one fails for any reason, the other will still keep the vehicle from moving. Furthermore, if you use the parking brake on a regular basis, it keeps the system from freezing up, making it more likely to be effective if it becomes necessary to use the brake for emergency stopping.

And yet it seems like there are people who don't even know what that pedal on the far left (or that handle behind the gearshift lever) is there for. My girlfriend was one of these before I met her (I changed that real quick ). There are also people who think that setting the parking brake is an option to be done at their convenience. Why is this?

It'll be interesting to hear everyone's comments on this...and, if you never set it, why not? I've noticed that it seems like people who are driving company vehicles (LEO's especially) never touch the brake...

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Mine doesnt hold tight enough and when I did get it fixed it was only good for a month....

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

I always use the parking brake (e-brake for this thread). I even got my wife to use it all the time. When I valet, I always tell them that the parking brake is on as well.

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1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

I do the same. There is nothing worse then some valet driving your car (especially the 500E500) with the e-brake on. It is enough to kill a mocking bird!!!

I use the E-brake for making quick U-turns.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

You should use the "handbrake" and put the car in Park if it is an auto, or in first or reverse (depending on whether it is pointing down or up a hill respectively) if it is a manual. I admit to being lazy and only bothering with the hand brake (operated by foot, of course) when parking on a hill.

Importantly, the hand brake will not hold a car on an incline: you should also leave it in Park (auto) or in gear (manual).

Likewise, on an icy incline, Park alone will not hold an auto: because of the differential, only one wheel is locked: this will skid while the other wheel rolls (this has happened to me: applying the handbrake held the other wheel and that was enough).

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190

the parking brake is also important when jacking up the car, so it would not roll (that is, augmented by wheel blocks)

when attaching the wheels and torqueing up the bolts, it is best done without any vertical load on the wheel, to ensure proper bolt seating. With the fronts, this is difficult or not possible because the wheel will turn as you tighten it. With the rears, it is possible if you have the parking brake on.

for those with automatic transmissions, it is better to leave your car in Neutral, with the parking brake applied. This is because if it is towed, and done incorrectly, the parking brakes are less expensive than a transmission (!)

I wonder if there's a way to work the key interlock so the shift lever has to be in park AND the park brake has to be applied before the key will come out.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Most ATs from 1990 have AT interlocks that don't let you remove the key if the transmission isn't in park. Saab MTs from the 70s only let you pull the key with the transmission in reverse.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I live on an incline.

With my manual 16 valve, I first apply the e-brake, then push the clutch in and allow the car to roll back until the e-brake stops it. Then I put it in first gear (if the car's pointed uphill). That way the weight of the car rests on the e-brake, not the transmission.

With my E-320, I first shift into neutral, let the car roll until it rests on the brake, then shift into Park. Same principle as above, letting the weight of the car rest on the brake rather than the transmission.

On both cars, I always turn the front wheels so that the car will roll into the curb rather than out into the street if, for some reason, the e-brake stops working and the car isn't in gear.

...when I park: that's what it is there for!

I'm more concerned about people not using their BRAIN CELL(s?) when they drive!

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'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435

Excellent.

'Nuff said...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Tip: You get better purchase (or seating) of the brakes if you apply the regular brakes, hold, then apply the parking brake. Otherwise, only the tip of the brake shoe is engaged. This applies to vehicles where the same drum brake is used for the parking brake as well as the service brake.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Well, I am befuddled. I can't believe the results of the poll so far. I never use the parking brake unless I am on a rather steep incline...supposing that it isn't good for the tranny to be the only thing holding the full weight of the car.

Other than that reason...why do you use it all the time? Also, am I correct about it being easier on the tranny if I use it on a steep incline.

Now, when I had a manual, I did use it all the time.

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

If someone taps your car during parking, it might save the parking pawl on your auto-box if you have set the e-brake.

Just a theory...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif