Is it a good habit to always put on the parking breaks while parked with an automatic car?

Harry

Yes, otherwise the weight of the car is resting on the transmission. Auto trannys are designed with this in mind, but it does help prevent wear on the parking mechanism inside the transmission. I put mine in neutral, engage the handbrake, then put the car in park, in case the handbrake fails.

knickcelticyankee

I really don't know the answer to that but from my perspective I always put on the parking brake especially when I am parked on a hill. There are so many freak accidents that you can never be to safe.

Coconuts

yes you should put your parking break on because a lot of states it is a law that you have to

QuestionWyrm

I'm not sure if you should or not, but I always put mine on

Dick Skinner

It won't wear the brakes down. Not using the P brakes will put pressure on the transmission in an auto. Normally, it's not a big deal, but can decrease the life of the transmission. Or, if the car's struck, or moved, the force can ruin your transmission. Usin the P brake'll lock the wheels, so any impact would move the whole car, instead of transferring to the transmission.

BOOMBOOMBILLY

DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE. IF YOU LIVE IN AN EXTREMLY COLD ENVIROMENT, YOU WOULD NOT SET THE PARKING BRAKE ALL THE TIME DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS MOISTURE (WATER) ON THE BRAKES AND IN THE COLD, IT CAN FREEZE AND LOCK YOUR BRAKES.
BUT IF YOU ARE ON AN INCLINE, THEN YOU NEED TO SET THE BRAKE.
THIS DOESN'T CAUSE WEAR ON THE BRAKES. THE PARKING BRAKE IS THE SAME AS THE REAR BRAKES, IT IS JUST MANUALLY SET USING A CABLE INSTEAD OF HYDRAULICS. IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE BEORE MOVING THE CAR, THERE IS NO WEAR. NO FRICTION, NO WEAR

fro

You know I never use my parking brake. If I am on a really steep hill, maybe. If I am doing it to make it harder to get towed, I should probably not be parking there anyway. And I do not think it makes a big difference. They will just pull your car up on to the back of a truck. I do not think it can wear down your normal breaks, because the car is not in motion. No pressure is being applied to the break pads. Again this may vary if you are on a hill. But I never use it regardless. I guess it is up to you. I noticed when I came to live overseas in Europe and the Middle East (from the States) everyone does it, everywhere they park. Not sure why. I was never taught that way. I think it depends maybe if it is an automatic or a manual though. I have heard that with a manual you need to put it in neutral and apply the hand brake.

Eric

Yes, it is a good habit but not necessary. You should ALWAYS put your parking brake on (w/ manual or automatic transmission) when you are on a slope. It is true that it would make it harder to tow your vehicle but it is a good habit because it takes a lot of the weight of your vehicle off of your transmission.

Beavis Christ AM

Put the parking brake on first, then put it in park, it takes the stress off of the transmission.

Stormy

Its not necessary to pull the parking brakes while parked, unless you live in San Francisco. If you do that during the winter, you may not be able to move your car after releasing them. They will freeze up. There should be no reason for your car to be towed away, unless your just plain stupid.

whattodo30

Parking brake(not break) uses your rear brakes to hold the car in place. Putting your transmission in Park has nothing o do with the brake system.

Yes, it is a good habit because the pin holding to car in place ca break allowing your car to roll away. Someone rear ending it for instance while it's parked.

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