I have a question about the parking brake (hand brake)?

Question

Hey I have a question about the parking break or some people call it the hard break..you know that device long handle thing next to the shifting gears...well I never touch that thing. I think it's always down...because if it's up it can't move right??? If I always leave it down and I never push it up to park or anything...is that bad for my engine or am I fine? My friend told me it was bad for the engine so I'm worried now. I've never pushed it up...I just never paid any attention to it. Then I see my friends push it up or down all the time..and my dad has been driving for 20 years and I dont't hink I have ever seen him mess with the parking break...so are we fine?

Answer 1

I've never heard of that one.....

The parking brake can be used when you park.  I never use mine unless I'm parking on a hill or a slope, such as a steep driveway (if you worry that your car will roll away after you've put it in park).  Or you use it if you can't stop (like you lose your brakes while driving) because it's also known as an emergency brake.  

You should never drive with the parking brake on!

Answer 2

ok firstly how do you push up a hand brake....  lol

if you have never used it you may wanna think about walking as you clearly dont know how to drive.....

im guessing you have an auto and just place that in park.....  which is all well and good untill it all gets a bit worn and while parked on a hill the gear box jumps out of park and rolls away....    the park brake has nothing to do with the engine unless you try to drive with it on...  the hand brake is an emergancy brake shoud your main brake fail.....  it is also what it says it is a park brake .....  so when you park us the park brake......   take it off when you drive...   :)

Answer 3

You need to used the parking brake and or hand brake every time that you park your vehicle, not only for safety but to keep this brake in working order in the event that you do someday need it...........

Answer 4

Okay parking brake has NOTHING to do with your engine. You don't even need the parking brake unless your parked on a hill or something. The parking brake simply functions so that if your on a hill or something, your car isn't gonna roll anywhere down the hill.

As long as you dont drive with it up, it's not gonna mess up anything.

you can read more about it here:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/bf403...

Answer 5

The parking brake can mess up your car if you leave it UP while driving, but won't hurt anything if you leave it down.  It mainly exists to help prevent cars from rolling down hill when you're parked, or as a last ditch effort to stop the car if your brakes fail (thus *emergency* brake)

Answer 6

the only time I feel I need it is if I'm on a very steep hill. otherwise I  use it  from time to time just to keep the moving parts from freezing up.

Answer 7

At a minimum, you should use it from time to time.  It's possible (though not horribly common) for the brake to get 'stuck'.  Using it from time to time helps prevent this.