I'm not a big fan of using the emergency brake b/c I tend to forget that it's on, and then I drive off with it still on.

1.) Is there way for the car to signal to me (other than the red "BRAKE" light showing on my dash) that the parking brake is still while I am driving? I would think that this is not anything new as my 99 Lexus Rx300 will start making a dinging sound, indicating to me that I am driving with the parking brake on.

2.) how much damage can be done from leaving the parking brake on while driving (i'm sure that depends on how far/fast you drive, but let's just assume a mile at under 35 MPH)?

3.) Should I always use the parking brake, even when not a hill?

thanks to all....

 

I'm assuming you have a 6mt? You really dont NEED to use the parking brake ever. If your in a manual, put it in 1st and it shouldnt go anywhere, turn the wheel towards the curb. If its automatic, it really shouldnt matter..
I doubt there is a built in way for it to tell you the brake is on if it doesnt already do it, I haven't seen an option for setting that on or off. You could always piggyback off the indicator switch for the brake and wire up a chime or whatnot..

 

well, the red BRAKE light IS your signal. the fact that its harder to take off from a stop, car seems sluggish, strange noises heard... its stops better than ever...

as far as damage goes, you will eat up your parking brake shoes, and possibly warp the rotors due to all the excess heat you are creating.

with a stick shift, always put it in gear, and use your parking brake. with an automatic, parking brake is not necessary. leave it in "P" and let it be.

 

even on an automatic, the parking brake is "necessary" if a car was to bump into your parked car, you want the parking brake to take the hit.. not the tranny..
same thing when parking on a "hill" u don't want your tranny to have all the pressure...

 

i think you will realize right away your parking brake is set. The 'damage' will be quickly wearing out the brake shoes inside the drum and possibly warping them from extreme temperatures. If you have an automatic the parking brake is not really needed unless you are parking on an incline.

 

thanks ya'll, this helps. by the way, i have an automatic (never learned how to drive stick)

 

exactly what i was about to say.. i got an 06 5AT

 

jmcohen23 i know how you feel, i forget to step on my emergency brake sometimes too that is why i only use it when i park on an incline or park outside, in the garage i just put it in P.

 

If any of you guys ever saw what a Park sprawl looks like in an automatic transmission...you would start setting your parking brakes too!!

I set mine even if i park on level surface. Plus i come from manual transmissions...so it's just force of habit really.

 

that parking pawl is beefy!

 

You can wire the parking brake signal wire into a beep or some other signal of your choice.

 

really? I wonder if I can assign it to play a MP3 (like a ring tone), maybe "Fire Water Burn" by Bloodhound Gang.

I remember my mom's Oldsmobile used to verbally give warnings like, "The parking brake is on", or my personal favorite, "Your headlights are on". I used to take my girlfriends out in the car and turn on the headlights just to make that sound, they always checked their nips after hearing that.

 

...or you could just make a habit of checking/releasing the parking brake before you start off. it's pretty basic stuff.

 

isnt the "Brake" in red obvious enough? i mean its like right there.

 

Always use your parking brake on an incline. Saves a lot of stress on your transmission.