New 2010 Prius II owner here. Thanks to the many people who posted here and provided a lot of useful information. I have a steep driveway. Am I doing any long term harm to the car by parking every night on an incline?
On most cars, if you engage PARK first, then let off the foot brake (letting the car roll slightly), it will put pressure on the locking dog in the transmission. Then when you shift out of PARK it will cause more wear on the dog. Therefore, when I park on an incline, I engage the parking brake first, release the foot brake (this lets the parking brake take the pressure of the car), then engage PARK. The parking dog will hold the car if the parking brake fails. There is no pressure on the dog when you shift out of PARK to drive off, so no additional wear.
Yeah, I just use the parking brake. Then when leaving, I start, apply brake pressure, release the parking brake, and press the brake pedal till hill assist engages. That holds the car till I apply throttle.
The parking pawl on the Prius is very robust. I wouldn't worry about hurting it. As others have suggested, for more security use your parking brake. Tom
water can get into the emergency brake cable, and then freeze, that is what 2009prius is talking about
