Parking Brake vs Parking Button

Hmmm! Prior to reading this I assumed that everyone used their parking brake. I've virtually never NOT used it (I have over a million miles of driving under my belt). Seems silly not to, if for no other reasons, the reasons mentioned in these postings.

Heck, once you get in the habit, it becomes part of your routine like fastening and unfastening your seat belt (I presume everyone here uses seatbelts) or reaching in your pocket for your key when approaching your car (although I have Smart Start, I still do that - tough habit to break - Anyone else?).

 

It's become a habit for me in my Civic over the years. However, the Civic parking break is between the driver and passenger seats. I don't think the habit will transfer automatically to the Prius when I get mine.

 

Anyone know whetyher the foot parking brake effects the front or the rear wheels?

 

Well, something very apropos to this message happened just now in the parking lot where I work. A Jeep Cherokee came out of park and hit someone else's truck. I seriously doubt the owner had her parking brake on

Anyway, it prompted a discussion about Park vs. parking brake here in the office, and most people here don't use their parking brakes. I guess the misconception that Park actually keeps the car from rolling is a widespread one.

 

Small world.

Actually, Park does keep a car from rolling (until that metal pawl breaks...). Sounds like your colleague's problem was that she didn't place it fully in Park. This is something the key interlock arrangement should have prevented her from walking away from. Assuming her Jeep is not an ancient relic, this sounds like a manufacturer defect that should be covered cost free. SHe should call the dealer, and the regional level of Chrysler.

 

Just two questions waiting for my Prius:
1) how does the parking brake pedal work? (when you press it it remains down?)
2) there is a clear signal that indicates that the parking brake is engaged?

I normaly use it only in "slopy" situations, but many times I forgot that is engaged (it's embarassing but true).

 

The parking brake in Prius is no different than any other vehicle with similar foot operated parking brake. There is a warning light on the dash display indicating if it is engaged. The vehicle will not move unless the parking brake is off, also it only engage the rear drum brake.

 

You push it down with your left foot, makes a clicking noise and at some point you can't push it further. Also a warning light is shown on your dashboard.

When you want to release the parking brake, you just push it down a bit more and it will come up again.

 

If, to set the brake, you have already pushed it down until you can't push it further, how do you, to release the brake, push it down a bit more?

 

When you push it again (after removing your foot), you'll find that it will go just a tad further and will go up again.
Darn, this is hard to explain...

EDIT
Me be not da native english speaker! :lol:

 

Oh no, not the automatic window again.

 

:lolup:

Oh, very good, sir.

 

the parking brake is designed to have an intuitive understanding of your wishes. it's actually quite similiar to the design of the common thermos, it just "knows" whether you want to keep something cold or hot.

 

Also, hold your left arm out the window, pat your right ear with your elbow and say "Rubber baby buggy bumpers."

If you say it too quickly, however, it'll unlock the trunk. :mrgreen:

 

Just the opposite! I adapted surprisingly quickly to SS. I've gone to drive one of my other "old fashioned" vehicles and just about dislocated fingers expecting the door to open, instead having the handle ripped out of my grip.

 

The parking brake lever is like the caps lock on your computer keyboard: Push it once, brake on; push it a second time, brake off.

I always used the parking brake on my Civic because it was right by my right hand. I seldom use it on my Prius because it's way down there where my left foot has to reach for it. But you folks have convinced me that I should.

 

Also, hold your left arm out the window, pat your right ear with your elbow and say "Rubber baby buggy bumpers."

If you say it too quickly, however, it'll unlock the trunk. :mrgreen:[/b][/quote] Ah, almost forgot to mention that, thanks for the follow up. Also if you wear a Priuschat Cap or Priuschat T-shirt you don't have to stick your arm out of the window.

 

The rear brakes on my 2011 Prius are Disc Brakes.
I dont use the parking brake, but I should for safety and
that is how to keep them adjusted and moving freely.
Or so I've been told.

 

Holy thread resurrection!

US 2nd gen Priuses (04-09) had rear drum brakes. 3rd gens have 4 wheel disc brakes.

 

I think of the parking brake as an emergency brake. It would do us all well to go to a vacant parking lot and practice using it as such.
I used an emergency brake in a panic stop to save my life once many years ago. The brake line was damaged and all the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it was parked for about 5 hours. Fortunately I had the presence of mind to slam on the emergency brake with my left foot and stopped at an intersection just in time to avoid a truck getting ready to cross the intersection.
I appreciate the reminder go practice this in case it happens again.
As a side note, this is why I would rather have a handle for an emergency brake which I can operate with my right hand. I got to the point whre I would actually use it occasionally to stay in practice if there were no cars around.