So...how many of you who have an auto trans use your emergency brake??

I have heard pros and cons to using the ebrake, I was taught to always use it on a hill but on a level surface there is no need, but I have noticed in my 09 that the car is always falling back on the trans when i park...

just wondering what yall do.

 

Before my e-brake froze and I broke the cable trying to free my car to get to work , I used my e-brake all the time (on any incline anyway). My driveway has about a 30 degree slope so I would pull in, set the e-brake, let off the brake to let the weight of the car rest on the e-brake instead of the tranny, then put the car in park. I found this stopped the stiffness in moving the car from "P "to "R" with the accompanying "clunk" when changing between gears with he weight of the car on the tranny. Always felt that I was preventing some unwanted wear on the tranny, but have no idea if it was just for my comfort or actually helped.....

 

No auto in my Stang, but our Explorer is. I put it in neutral, set the e-brake, then put the trans in park. That way the brakes hold the car, not the transmission. Did that for 9 years with our '01 Escape and no problems. It also helps keep the rear brakes adjusted. I also live in SW FL so no worries about it freezing

 

Have rarely used the e brake in any of my vehicles with auto trans, never had any other problems, ie. transmission.

 

The shifting when going into park is that there's a bit of play in the parking pawl. It's normal for a car to roll a little bit if using park exclusively.

That being said, I would hold the brake on, shift to park, then slowly let the brakes off so it slowly rolled onto the pawl.

And the use ebrake on a steepish incline (not just out of level) thing for ease of extracting from park, that's some pretty decent tension on the pawl in those cases.

 

I have always used the "Parking" brake on all of my vehicles. I have owned both, standard and automatic transmission vehicles. It is a good habit to get used to and after a short time you will not even notice you are doing it when you exit your vehicle. My opinion, it is mostly a safety issue. Also in Texas, it is required by law.

(Texas Transportation Code)
§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE.
An operator may not leave the vehicle unattended without:
(1) stopping the engine;
(2) locking the ignition;
(3) removing the key from the ignition;
(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and
(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.


RC

 

wow! Texas has got some crazy laws! But it makes sense...

 

It's not just Texas, most states are the same way.

 

I never knew Texas had that law!

I always used the e-brake when I had an automatic(Mustang is manual ). Even when I drive the Charger or the F350 or whatever..e-brake. My father drilled it into my head from the time I started to drive.

 

Only use it on inclines. I don't think it is a law in Georgia - never heard of it anyway.