using P

It,s a mechanical lock or cog inside the transaxle, so I would be careful on a steep hill to release the foot break Slowly so as not to ingauge the cog to abruptly

 

It is called a parking pawl. I was unable to find a picture of the pawl in a Prius, but her is a generic one:

 

The one on the Prius is mounted on the side of the housing and looks like a steering gear that slides into place. You should NEVER use it to actually hold the car. It will just fine and will release fine with a heavy load on it, but you're supposed to apply the parking brake, release the foot brake (so the parking brake takes the load), and then press "P" or turn the car off (it will go to "P" automatically). The transmission lock (which is what I prefer to call it) makes no noise when you do this. It makes a "clunk" if it is loaded when released.

 

Yeah, but parking brake pedal IMO is to small and I have always to look for it. Hence usually I leave the car in "P" only - as many Prius drivers also do - I suppose

 

I always use the parking brake in all my cars. The cars appreciates it.

 

I use it... sometimes. My idea was to save the linkage against excessive extension to have it efficient in case when I need it in emergency. In addition - when parking on the slope I always turn the front wheels to the right - then I'm sure the car would never roll down

 

I always use my parking brake, I came from a manual transmission. It is second nature on a manual, set brake, throw in first, pull key. On the Prius, set brake, push power button, get out.

 

Ditto, i came from a manual transmission car as well, that must be why i've developed the same habit of using the parking brake on my prius.

 

Save the linkage? It's a steel cable. Not exactly fragile. Mine's held up just fine after 5 years of regular use.

So in an emergency you're going to "look for it" then use it to lock up the rear tires.

Are you sure you've thought this through?

 

hmm.. maybe not. Perhaps it was not my best day
Instead of "emergency" I should say "when I need".

I do not use that brake in emergency, only on the very steep road.
On normal flat surface I do not use it at all.
Same was with manual, first gear or reverse usually holds the car strongly enough.
The other use of auxiliary brake is more for fun (especially during the winter time). In Prius useless.
The linkage after excessive use is getting longer, needs to re-tighten it from time to time.

 

RTFM. You should always use the parking brake. When parking. You won't wear out the cable. It's designed to be used all the time. On the Prius I use it when I park. I've never had the cable stretch. How much force are you putting on the pedal anyway?
On my FJ Cruiser I don't use it for overnight in the garage, but any other time yes. It's level in there and I've had the brake shoes corrode to the drum in the winter a few times. No big deal, but it does make quite a "bang" when I force it to release (with the throttle, transmission in "R").

 

I'm afraid that's too late to change my habits, 40 years of driving on manual without much use of parking brake. And never-ever had problem with it. And - three times I witnessed (in my neighborhood) when parked cars rolled unattended and uncotrolled down the street, hitting eventually some obstacles (trees, fences... ) Lucky no one was hurt. Reason - broken or stretched linkage Additional observation - unbelievable how quick the car can accelerate running down loose, one passed me when I was just walking back home in a distant maybe 2-3 meters (abt 7ft) - silent like a ghost. And then boom! Hit the neighbour's concrete fence. Also the extent of damage was surprisingly big considering not long way, which that car travelled. Something like 30 meters only (not even 100 ft). So - you have you experience, I have mine. Some may use also mooring ropes - as I do every day

 

Remember that when you turn the vehicle off, the transmission is automatically put into PARK mode.
Nonetheless, I always use the parking brake also; in some places, like Frisco, it os required.

 

I think you will find it's required in all places. Enforced, perhaps not, but required in the law, yes. "Turn wheels into curb, apply parking brake". There are whole paragraphs in both British Columbia and Alberta regulations. I'm sure there are where you live as well. It's basic driving, and taught in any driving course.

 

If you don't do it on a NJ driver's license test drive, you're usually failed.

 

Same in Poland but our traffic Police is mostly interested with their haidryers No one is checking whether the parking brake is apllied or not.

 

Radar guns?

 

Yep We call them "Push-biked teddybears with disco lights and hairdyers"