Do you use your Handbrake?

[lesnar]

Do you use your handbrake when the car is parked?

I've noticed a lot of the cars i've seen parked along the streets don't have the handbrakes pulled. Personally, i always apply the handbrake to fee more secure in the spot rather than having the car shift when the brake pedal is released.

What do you do?

[Nick]

i always use the handbrake and stick it into the first. i don't like the weight of the car sitting on the gears! =]

[Jeff-TheBiz]

always, mind you I have a 5 spd and a remote starter... I love my car, but I would rather not have breakfast at the kitchen table with it.

[alhope34]

Neutral and hand brake. This winter the hand brake was fun for a couple other things, too.

[Cardinal Fang]

Handbrake? What the hell is that?

</Auto Tranny>

[Videcak]

Hand brake and 1st gear when parked.

[JonsMazda]

Nah! No handbrakes for me.

[Flagrum_3]

Do you use your handbrake when the car is parked?

Always!


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[dentinger]

used to be neutral and handbrake, but now its 1st gear and handbreak

[condor888000]

1st and handbrake.

[Garu]

I used to do handbrake only. But few days ago I saw my car rolled down the driveway. Thankfully the sidewalk stopped it.
So now always 1st and handbrake.

[dj_chinaman2097]

I have to make sure I pull the handbrake all the way up and leave it in first gear. A few times my car has rolled into driving lanes in parking lots, down my driveway, and down the restaurant-front parking grade at Zets.

When my car rolled at Zets (24hr restuarant by the airport) my car was saved because it rolled up onto the curb that separates the sidewalk from the parking lot. Had the car been parked one spot to the right it would've rolled straight onto Airport Road/Dixon Road.

[Speedy2008]

Always handbrake + 1st but sometimes reverse if parked on a downward slope.

[whiteomega]

i don't use the handbrake in the winter when there's a chance the cable will freeze and lock the handbrake on. i just park carefully and leave the car in gear.

[Notorious MS3]

I just leave it in neutral and use the handbrake, because of the remote starter and turbo timer.

[RallyPlaya]

Yeah i do but its just a habbit

[blue3]

1st gear and hand brake .. 1st gear for extra insurance

[Thunder 3]

used to be neutral and handbrake, but now its 1st gear and handbreak

Same here. Even when I drove an automatic I used my handbrake every time. I'd prefer not to hold the car with the transmission, and regularly using the handbrake keeps it in good condition.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I used to just use first gear on my old car, but my gf flips out (she started the old one in first one day from the passenger seat and that was a fiasco) so now I leave it in gear with the parking brake up.

I don't trust just the e brake cause like others have said it starts to roll.

[Fuman]

I have to make sure I pull the handbrake all the way up and leave it in first gear. A few times my car has rolled into driving lanes in parking lots, down my driveway, and down the restaurant-front parking grade at Zets.

When my car rolled at Zets (24hr restuarant by the airport) my car was saved because it rolled up onto the curb that separates the sidewalk from the parking lot. Had the car been parked one spot to the right it would've rolled straight onto Airport Road/Dixon Road.
you should get your handbrake checked out, that sounds a bit abnormal.

Auto but I make sure all there's no pressure on the transmission.
So (Handbrake, then "Park")

[Wild Weasel]

I always leave it in reverse with the brake on.

Why would anyone leave it in neutral?? Having it in gear is like free insurance. Only reason not to do it would be if you have a remote starter.

[mleblond]

on my old 3, my car rolled back 2 meters while it was in 1st without parking break. I heard that was bad for the engine or something...since then parking break, neutral and place my wheels so if does move in does not go far.

[FONZ]

When my car rolled at Zets (24hr restuarant by the airport) my car was saved because it rolled up onto the curb that separates the sidewalk from the parking lot. Had the car been parked one spot to the right it would've rolled straight onto Airport Road/Dixon Road.





Zet's is an awesome restaurant. :chuckle

[Skarbro]

I always use the handbrake and leave it in first or reverse depending on which direction is safer.

[Skarbro]

on my old 3, my car rolled back 2 meters while it was in 1st without parking break. I heard that was bad for the engine or something...since then parking break, neutral and place my wheels so if does move in does not go far.
It isn't bad for the engine. And it shouldn't move. Mine doesn't!

[mogul_pro]

I used to do handbrake only. But few days ago I saw my car rolled down the driveway.

WOW!!!

I would have freaked out if that was me! hahah.. glad nothing happened!

[mleblond]

It isn't bad for the engine. And it shouldn't move. Mine doesn't!

I am obviously not the expert on the question but when your car is in first gear and rolls backwards it can't be good for the transmission or engine. There's a term for this and I can't remember what it is.

[theurgy]

Also when you park on an incline you're supposed to crook the wheel so if the handbrake should ever fail.. your car will not roll out into the street but instead towards the curb.
So if you're parking facing upwards, crook the wheels the the left, and if facing downwards...crook towards the right.

They teach you that in driving school remember....

Anyhow, I use only the handbrake.

[bunchi]

since we're now talking about handbrakes, is there a chance where your handbrake gets frozen when it's really cold, or when there's freezing rain and it just won't release? i'm not sure but I think I saw this somewhere, I think in the user's manual?

[Skarbro]

since we're now talking about handbrakes, is there a chance where your handbrake gets frozen when it's really cold, or when there's freezing rain and it just won't release? i'm not sure but I think I saw this somewhere, I think in the user's manual?
Yes that's true. It is not recommended to use the handbrake in very cold temperatures. The brake can freeze.

[Fuman]

since we're now talking about handbrakes, is there a chance where your handbrake gets frozen when it's really cold, or when there's freezing rain and it just won't release? i'm not sure but I think I saw this somewhere, I think in the user's manual?
not sure if this is true.
But on the flip side, Your handbrake can stick if you have been hard on your brakes (i.e. your brakes are very hot).

[tweak_s]

I always handbrake and gear.

i used to always use first on up hill, and reverse on downhill but.... does it really matter?

If I wanted to throw it into second for example.. wouldn't it be the same thing?

[Skarbro]

not sure if this is true.
But on the flip side, Your handbrake can stick if you have been hard on your brakes (i.e. your brakes are very hot).

It is true.

From the Owner's Manual:



Don't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.

[Skarbro]

This is also from the Owner's Manual and pertains to all of us:


WARNING

Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause
accident. Before leaving the driver's
seat, always set the parking brake
make sure the shift lever is in P
an automatic transaxle or in 1
with a manual transaxle.

[Fuman]

thanks skarbro!

[x_o_k_x]

I barely ever use handbrake, unless if Im parked on steep surface..

[tweak_s]

I barely ever use handbrake, unless if Im parked on steep surface..

Are you running an auto or a 5spd?

[Skarbro]

Are you running an auto or a 5spd?
Many autos since 2006 are 5 speeds. :)

[///M]

Handbrake + Neutral.

The car is parked indoors on a flat surface, so there is nowhere for it to roll.

[oneurt]

My car has rolled down my driveway before, but this was due to the fact that I didn't pull the ebrake that high.. maybe 2 clicks lol. But since then its always just been ebrake only. I rarely leave it in gear. (had a remote start on my old car).

[tweak_s]

Many autos since 2006 are 5 speeds. :)

True that..I forgot lol. Before this car, the auto I drove was only a 4 :P.... *changes signature from to 5spd to 5MT)

[Seliina]

I have automatic 5sp but I always use the parking break - unless I'm on a completely level surface (I check by putting it in neutral and seeing if it rolls).

[M3!]

On an incline or decline, 1st and handbrake. Flat ground, neutral and handbrake.

[Flagrum_3]

It is true.

From the Owner's Manual:

Lets all carry a couple of blocks in the car :chuckle ...j/k, but seriously, I understand its stated in the manual but I've been using my PB for almost three years.I use it always, except if I'll be leaving the vehicle sitting for a long period.My vehicle sits outside all night as I work nights, in any and all weather conditions even -40C,...I've never had a problem with the PB function, I'm still going on original brakes and PB cable nearing 70k.I would suggest to all using the PB at all times when parking, its pretty cheap insurance!! :)


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[bunchi]

wow Skarbro you looked it up! lol I was gonna do that first thing when I got home.. thanks for confirming. anyway, I have an auto, so if it's really cold (i mean ridiculous makes you want to swear cold) and i'm parked outside overnight, I don't use it. i just put a snowball behind the tire to stop it from rolling :loco :chuckle other than that, handbrake always on and gear on P.

[x_o_k_x]

Are you running an auto or a 5spd?

Auto

[Flagrum_3]

wow Skarbro you looked it up! lol I was gonna do that first thing when I got home.. thanks for confirming. anyway, I have an auto, so if it's really cold (i mean ridiculous makes you want to swear cold) and i'm parked outside overnight, I don't use it. i just put a snowball behind the tire to stop it from rolling :loco :chuckle other than that, handbrake always on and gear on P.

Your pretty safe with an auto, there is not much chance of it coming out of gear so the PB is not so essential, but as for the standard tranny its not unheard of for the shifter to pop out of gear, hense the need to use the PB at all times.


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[Soyabean]

i have to. I have a 5 speed

[WLS ZMZM]

always on... even when i drove automatics.... in the habit of not putting the car in 1st as my civic had a remote starter... and i hate when the car is in gear always forget :blush

[yearoftherat]

On an incline or decline, 1st and handbrake. Flat ground, neutral and handbrake.

+1 except on flat ground, I always put it in 1st with handbrake on.

[royroy]

i only use handbrake with my speed..
coze i have remote started.. n is dangerous to have it in gear and start at the same time..

[p-o-g-i]

Handbrake? What the hell is that?

</Auto Tranny>

+1
you should always use your handbreak though... just for peace of mind. it doesn't hurt to use it; that's what it's there for....

[Mz3-2266]

I leave it in reverse with the handbreak. Better to be safe then sorry!

Peace!

[myself]

I always set the hand brake first and then put it in 1st (or let go of the clutch). If I do it vice versa then the car's weight will be on the the gears and not the brake.

I do put it in reverse on a downhill parking, but I really don't know if it makes a difference. Basically I've just followed what my dad's been doing all along...

[bunchi]

as long as you're in 1st gear, or reverse, the car should not be able to move. the handbrake is extra safety. when parked on a spot with an incline, make sure your front tires are on an angle so that if ever your car rolls, the curb will stop the car. the angle shouldn't also be in an angle where in case the car rolls, the curb stops the car but the rims get scratched.:)

[Flagrum_3]

Here's a little tid-bit I forgot to mention in my last post, the parking brake mechanism is more likely to seize-up from non-use than for any other reason...so another good reason to use it periodically for autos and often to always for standards.


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[Jeff0]

Don't use your handbrake if it's below -10C in extended period of time, i.e overnight parking. This might freeze your parking brake.

[RX9]

is this winter always over -10c? i always e-breaked when i parked, no freezing "parking brake", i dont think they will be frozen anyway. the hand brake line might need to be replaced after few years b/c it may broken thats what i heard.

[b]

Always handbrake + 1st but sometimes reverse if parked on a downward slope.

+1 this is what I do too!

[unnervingfalcon]

Have to use hand brake or it will seize up and cost you money to fix it.

[Fuman]

is this winter always over -10c? i always e-breaked when i parked, no freezing "parking brake", i dont think they will be frozen anyway. the hand brake line might need to be replaced after few years b/c it may broken thats what i heard.
If yo e-brake in the winter for fun then maybe, otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem.

[bj21]

even if you have auto you should occasionally use handbrake to keep it from seizing

car will not pass a safety without it so you'll be getting it fixed for no good reason

[06GT]

always use the handbrake and leave it in first. even when i had an automatic i used the handbrake. just habit i guess. kinda like when i turn down the volume before i shut off my car. too many times i forgot i had it cranked and scared the s**t out of me when i started it back up...