Automatic? Do you use the handbrake?

[v_forty]

Almost all previous cars I've owned have had manual gearboxes - the one exception was a C30, but that was still fitted with a traditional hand brake.

My current car, a 2009 XC90, has a foot pedal activated brake, and pull-handle to release. I think because of this, we're not in the habit of using the handbrake everytime we stop or park.

I'm curious - do others use the foot-hand-brake, or just put it in Park and leave it?

And if you so put it in park, if parking on a slope, do you turn the engine off before letting the foot brake off - then await what my kids call, The Lurch?

Seriously though, is relying just on the gearbox to hold the car going to cause any issues?

[john.wigley]

Firstly, 'v_forty', it is a legal requirement to set the handbrake when parking on a public road in any car - be it automatic or manual. The insurance implications alone if the car rolled away and caused an accident, and it could be shown that the brake had not been set, don't bear thinking about.

That said, I would tend to use the handbrake anyway, (and we have had only autos for 30 years now) not only for safety, but also to prevent it seizing in the 'off' position. The brake design on most Volvo models (drum in disc) can be problematic if neglected.

I try not to allow the pawl to stop the car, although on rare occasions it may roll forward taking up the slack, especially if parking on a steep slope. I understand that doing so places a greater load on it for which it was designed, and in extreme cases may result in it breaking. In that event, internal damage necessitating major gearbox repairs will inevitably ensure. Handbrake shoes are much cheaper to replace than major transmission repairs!

Regards, John.

[morsing]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Firstly, 'v_forty', it is a legal requirement to set the handbrake when parking on a public road in any car - be it automatic or manual. The insurance implications alone if the car rolled away and caused an accident, and it could be shown that the brake had not been set, don't bear thinking about.

The "Park" function in a transmission is far more reliable than parking brakes.

[morsing]

I never use the parking brake in my automatics. Ever.

In manuals, the only function of the parking brake is if you stop with the engine running, such as at red light. When parking to leave the car, you put it in first, and leave the parking brake off.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by morsing

I never use the parking brake in my automatics. Ever.

In manuals, the only function of the parking brake is if you stop with the engine running, such as at red light. When parking to leave the car, you put it in first, and leave the parking brake off.

You do realise that you are admitting to breaking the law don't you?

Yes, in older manual cars, I too always parked in gear, reverse when facing downhill, first up, with the front wheels turned in towards the curb, but only as a 'belt and braces' measure in addition to, not instead of, setting the handbrake.

Why would manufacturers continue to fit them if they are unnecessary, when they could save £x per car by not doing so?

In the days of rod, cable and single circuit hydraulic brakes, they also fulfilled the additional purpose of being a secondary or emergency brake should the main brakes fail. Indeed, on some very early four-wheel brake systems, the brakes were uncoupled, the pedal operating on one axle and a hand lever the other.

Regards, John.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by morsing

I never use the parking brake in my automatics. Ever.

In manuals, the only function of the parking brake is if you stop with the engine running, such as at red light. When parking to leave the car, you put it in first, and leave the parking brake off.

I suggest you read the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act - you could not be more wrong.

Leaving manuals on an incline relying only on engine braking through first gear is reckless and dangerous, the car will creep forward as the cylinder pressure leaks past the valves and piston rings. Yes, leaving it in gear is a good backup for the parking brake, but there are no circumstances where it is a sensible or legal substitute.

[baggy798]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I suggest you read the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act - you could not be more wrong.

Leaving manuals on an incline relying only on engine braking through first gear is reckless and dangerous, the car will creep forward as the cylinder pressure leaks past the valves and piston rings. Yes, leaving it in gear is a good backup for the parking brake, but there are no circumstances where it is a sensible or legal substitute.

Cylinder pressure doesn't hold a car when left in gear, mechanical leverage does.

The rear axle on my car is leaking onto the NS handbrake shoes making the handbrake ineffective, it certainly won't hold it on even a moderate slope, so really it's only the gear that holds it.🤭

[canis]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I suggest you read the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act - you could not be more wrong.

Leaving manuals on an incline relying only on engine braking through first gear is reckless and dangerous, the car will creep forward as the cylinder pressure leaks past the valves and piston rings. Yes, leaving it in gear is a good backup for the parking brake, but there are no circumstances where it is a sensible or legal substitute.

Yes, indeed. I had a car which couldn't hold itself on an incline. It would stay for a few seconds, then fall a few inches, wait a bit, then another few inches. It did have very low compression though, I don't remember the numbers involved, I was very young, but I do remember the machanic laughing, shouting out the result to his colleague.

I just don't understand this bizarre refusal so many people have to use the parking brake. I can only assume it goes back to when they're learning, and it becomes cemented in their mind as the "learner's brake" and having mastered the clutch, they refuse to use it ever after.

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by morsing

I never use the parking brake in my automatics. Ever.

Me neither.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by morsing

The "Park" function in a transmission is far more reliable than parking brakes.

Is it, 'morsing'? I have yet to see any validated test report proving this one way or the other.

Regards, John.