Is it normal to always have to use the parking brake?

I use the parking brake in any car I drive. It helps take the stress off the pawl that's used in the trans when you put it in Park.

 

I don't always use the park brake! You can use the park button before turning the engine off! My G2 goes into park when I stop the engine. It does not roll away! Hal

 

No, it's not normal for the car to roll in park. It is normal for it to move a small amount as it takes up the slack in the parking pawl, but if yours continues to roll then there is a serious problem with the park mechanism

 

Leave the car running, put it in park (on a hill), take your foot off the brake. If it rolls more than a foot or two, you got a problem, take it to the dealer. If it just rocks a few inches and stops, it is normal.

 

Yep. Agreed completely.

The amount of roll back/forward on the Prius is higher than that of all automatic transmission cars I've owned or driven often. My salesman even pointed that out to me when I picked up my Prius (which I bought new). So, I always apply the parking brake.

 

Read this post by TomWu, it works. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ion/84934-roll-after-putting-into-park-2.html

 

As others have said, the car rolling more than a tiny of rocking when parked is not normal. While I have no clue what the cause is I'd at least have it looked at by a mechanic just to be sure that driving it will not cause more damage.

 

To answer the original question, it is a good practice to always use the parking brake after shutdown, because it helps exercise the rear drum brakes, as well as providing an extra layer of safety, especially on a slope.

If the engine is stopped and the car is in park, then it may roll several inches when the generator turns it on, because a small amount of torque is transferred to the wheels in that process. If in Drive, then the car will move without throttle, because it mimics automatic transmission creep. If the car is in Park, whether on or off, in a flat parking lot with parking brake off, get out and push the car forward. It should travel less than a foot, and stop with an audible click. Make sure there is a curb or something not too far ahead, in case the pawl is broken and you can't stop it.

 

sounds like you better take it to the dealer before it runs away on you! sounds like the parking pawl is not engaging properly.

 

Make sure you have the car in Ready! You'll need the power brakes to stop.

 

+10000000 I'd bring the car to the dealer ASAP. I rarely use the parking brake, but then I live in the flat-as-a-pancake midwest.

 

Ouch that's going to be expensive if the pawl is messed up. Whats the deal on the car?

How long have you owned it? Was it a rebuilt title? What did you pay for it?
Carfax it?

Take it to the dealer and pay the $125 inspection fee. Don't pay a dime more till you post back here exactly what the dealer says verbatim off the written report.
We will help you. Do not let the dealer talk you into a ridiculous repair bill
about how many things are wrong with the car. Tell them you must consult with the husband before anything is done. Because a woman at a Toyota dealer service depot with an expensive problem is going to be taken for a ride.
And btw, if its truly broken if it was me I would be happy to just use the parking brake for the rest of its life because that's an expensive repair labor wise.
Keep that in the back of your mind. The only reason the parking brake pawl exists is so you don't have to apply the parking brake manually.

Which is not that hard really is it? To save $ 4500.

 

It could be as simple as a bad connection or blown fuse. It doesn't have to be expensive.

Tom