How should the parking brakes on a vehicle be properly used?

Question

Is it engaged after putting the car in park, or before? and when should it be released, before or after putting the car in drive?

Answer 1

Ok...I see alot you are doing it in the WRONG order, if you are driving an automatic.
In an automatic car if you put it in park before engaging the parking brake you will eventually break off a little pin inside the transmission because of the extra stresses. Don't know if this is true for a stick shift though.
-- Parking the car --
1) Stop the car completely, keep foot on brake.
2) Engage parking brake
3) Put shifter in N (neutral) and let go of foot brake. Let car naturally settle itself on the parking brake.
4) Put transmission in park.
**If your parking brake can not hold the car, even on a hill it needs to be re-adjusted.** ..and in this case..while holding foot brake put transmission in park.

-- Leaving the parking space --
1) Foot on brake and keep it there until transmission is in gear.
2) Start engine
3) Release parking brake
4) Transmission in gear
5) Remove foot from brake

The above is for automatic transmissions. I do not know if the same applies to stick shift as I do not drive or own a stick shift car. My dad would know but I haven't asked him.

Answer 2

You already have the correct answers on how to use a Parking brake. But here is a great tip, everytime someone else drives your vehicle (Friend, Mechanic, Parking attendant) ALWAYS .... and I do mean always ... check that the Park brake is not engaged. Some driver's set the parking brake every time they park.
I had a Brake job done just the night before a Long trip. Around three hundred miles down the road (highway 401 in Toronto -Canada's busiest highway) My Transmission dropped right out. I later learned that the park brake had been left just partially on, the resultant heat buildup in the rear wheels caused the oil seals to burn out and once the Tranny was dry, it literally broke up.
With good evidence the company that did the brake job reimbursed me for all of my expenses including the hotel stayover .... The real scary part though was being broke down on such a major highway ... it was Very dangerous!

Answer 3

It should be engaged after putting the car in park, and released before putting the car in drive.

Answer 4

It is engaged after putting the car in park and should be released, before putting the car in drive.

Answer 5

The parking brake should be engaged any time you are parking your vehicle on a hill after braking to a complete stop and then putting the car in park. This prevents an accidental roll. You could use it to park regularly just as a good habit. Remember to turn the steering wheel all the way to the curb for even more security against roll.
It is also used in an extreme case of emergency when you need to stop abruptly . Racers use this trick to slide into turns (SKID) and then disengage to go full throttle.
Careful speedy you could get hurt.

Answer 6

Engage after you put the car in park, and release before putting the car in drive.

Answer 7

Engage the parking brake after putting the car in park and release before you start driving.

You can't put the brake engaged while driving, and you can't start driving before it is released.

Answer 8

After you park you vehicle the parking break should be set. You release the parking brake just before you put your car in drive or reverse and put your vehicle in motion.
Never engage your parking brake while driving or before you park. They are parking brakes. That's why they are called parking brake.

Answer 9

It should be engaged after putting the car in park. It should be released after putting the car in drive.

Answer 10

When you pull up you have your foot on the brake. Put the car in park, engage the parking brake and release your foot off of the brake. When you are ready to drive put foot on brake, release parking brake, put vehicle in gear and pull away.