Parking brake, when to use

[James Morse]

Mine works well, the thing is, I'm asking advice, when to use it. On hills, obviously. But otherwise? In previous vehicles I've had the situation where the parking/emergency brake cables eventually stretch, then, you have to adjust them, and depending on the vehicle this can be hard to do if for instance you have to tear apart center console to get to them, etc (that last statement of course doesn't apply to this vehicle). It seems like using it prevents stress on the Park position in the tranny, so, hills, yes, but how about on the flat? If you set it after you are in Park but haven't released the foot brake, then I notice the truck does not move at all, while, if you don't set it, you get that little movement until the Park of the tranny is reached, in other words, there's a little bit of play there in the travel, if you know what I mean. What's the conventional thinking about this?

To prevent stress on things, on a hill, I think the procedure is, put foot on regular brake, put truck in gear, release parking brake, then release foot brake. Or at least have foot on brake when shifting out of Park, which I suppose you have to do anyway. But, not release parking brake before foot is on regular brake, at least.

I never had auto trans, I always had standard shift so I'm not savvy to what is best way to prevent wear and stress on things and not create situation where I have to to maintenance/repairs that I can avoid by good habits. With standard trans on a steep hill you -have- to use parking brake to get started unless you have three feet, heh. But that's all different so I just need to acquire the new correct way of doing things. Thanks.

 

[Dirtman]

When to use - anytime you turn the truck off...

Automatics are only held in place in park by a tiny little lever that grabs a gear at the back of the transmission, this lever can slip or worst case scenario if someone backs into you in a parking lot the lever can snap off which requires tearing the transmission apart to fix. I literally use my parking brake every single time I park and my cables are still not stretched after 12 years. Plus, cables are easy to replace, the parking pawl inside the transmission is not.

The parking brake also adjusts the rear brakes so frequent use keeps the self adjusters working. In addition, frequent use keeps the cables themselves from rusting and sticking.

There is no reason whatsoever to NOT set the parking brake every time you park the truck.

 

[Roert42]

When to use - anytime you turn the truck off...

Automatics are only held in place in park by a tiny little lever that grabs a gear at the back of the transmission, this lever can slip or worst case scenario if someone backs into you in a parking lot the lever can snap off which requires tearing the transmission apart to fix. I literally use my parking brake every single time I park and my cables are still not stretched after 12 years. Plus, cables are easy to replace, the parking pawl inside the transmission is not.

The parking brake also adjusts the rear brakes so frequent use keeps the self adjusters working. In addition, frequent use keeps the cables themselves from rusting and sticking.

There is no reason whatsoever to NOT set the parking brake every time you park the truck.

I second this.

 

[Ranger850]

I use the Parking brake to Park and the Emergency brake for emergencies. Every time.

 

[Dirtman]

I use the Parking brake to Park and the Emergency brake for emergencies. Every time.

What if there is a parking emergency?

 

[Ranger850]

What if there is a parking emergency?

What rhymes with "self explanatory"?

 

[sgtsandman]

Every time you park. Unless you have the 2010 or 2011 with disc brakes, the parking brake automatically adjusts every time you use it. Also, it’s less prone to seize up or fail if used on a regular basis.

On the 2010 & 2011 disc brake models, adjustment is manual and must be checked and adjusted at least once a year.

 

[Dirtman]

the 2010 & 2011 disc brake models, adjustment is manual and must be checked and adjusted at least once a year.

Those are "supposed" to be self adjusting too just a different way. The piston head should screw out over time to line up the mechanical parking brake part of the mechanism with the hydraulic main brake part of the mechanism as the pads wear. If the threads get gummed up and it takes too much force to turn it stops adjusting the mechanical parking brake side.

 

[James Morse]

Thank you everyone, definitely there is consensus on this. I was using it every time, then I wondered, is this necessary, but the explanation about the tranny's little lever really clinches it. THANK YOU and I will by habit ALWAYS use it. Glad I asked, and thank you for bearing with me as a novice auto trans user. Will put post-it in my brain NEVER EVER park the truck without Park brake set, simple as that.

 

[rumblecloud]

What rhymes with "self explanatory"?

Cantaloupe

 

[Ranger850]

Cantaloupe

 

[RonD]

Parking brake adjusts the rear shoes so they stay close to drum, so good to use all the time

As most people know Parking brakes don't work that well to hold vehicle from rolling backwards, so use the Parking Brake but also turn front wheels so if vehicle should roll it rolls toward a curb or NOT into traffic

Most people have backed up with Parking brake ON, and then couldn't go forward until they remembered, and released Parking brake
Its just the way the shoes work inside the drum

In the winter, when temps get down below freezing, older parking brake cables can get moisture inside, the rubber ends/boots deteriorate
So you get home from work, park and set the Parking brake
Temp drops over night
You start truck up in the morning and can NOT release parking brake because one or both cables are frozen inside sheath
BUMMER

Just a heads up
You can get under the truck and move the cables/sheaths around to try and break the ice inside the sheath holding the cable
Or get out the propane torch, lol, and CAREFULLY heat up the cables

So there are times that using the Park brake, when not really needed, can be a bad choice

 

[sgtsandman]

Those are "supposed" to be self adjusting too just a different way. The piston head should screw out over time to line up the mechanical parking brake part of the mechanism with the hydraulic main brake part of the mechanism as the pads wear. If the threads get gummed up and it takes too much force to turn it stops adjusting the mechanical parking brake side.

The 2010 & 2011 are miniature drum brakes and not the cable actuated, hydraulic kind used in the 2019+ Rangers. There is NO room in that tiny drum for a self adjuster. There is just the adjuster wheel and a retaining spring that also acts as the stop for the star. Adjustment is accessed from a slot in the backing plate in the back.

 

[Dirtman]

The 2010 & 2011 are miniature drum brakes and not the cable actuated, hydraulic kind used in the 2019+ Rangers. There is NO room in that tiny drum for a self adjuster. There is just the adjuster wheel and a retaining spring that also acts as the stop for the star. Adjustment is accessed from a slot in the backing plate in the back.

Ahhh I thought they were the type where the caliper does both. Hey at least it's not a Jeep, on those you have to pull the axle shafts out to work on the inner drum parking brake...

They shouldn't wear much though since the shoes aren't actually doing anything except grabbing the drum after your stopped.

 

[sgtsandman]

Ahhh I thought they were the type where the caliper does both. Hey at least it's not a Jeep, on those you have to pull the axle shafts out to work on the inner drum parking brake...

They shouldn't wear much though since the shoes aren't actually doing anything except grabbing the drum after your stopped.

It's possible to work on them without pulling the axles but it's a S.O.B. The only wear they get is during periodic adjustment. You want them to drag a bit at first when adjusted. Once the rust gets knocked off some, they are good to go until next time.