[bimmr]

Dumb question: Do i need to park my card before using the handbrake?

it says P on the handbrake... so does it park and handbrake together with 1 push/pull/

Thanks.

[KPD]

Yes. Put the transmission in P (Park), then manually engage your parking brake. Otherwise, you would risk putting unnecessary strain on the brake mechanism (if you accidentally lift off the brake pedal for example).

The standard terminology is now "Parking Brake" (so that there is no ambiguity regarding electronic or foot operated models). Handbrake is also commonly used in day to day lingo, of course. But all legal and technical documents refer to it as Parking Brake.

"(Ⓟ)" symbol on your instrument panel and parking brake lever has nothing to do with with the "P" on your gear lever. So... The answer to your second question is NO! Putting the gear lever in P (Park) does not automatically engage your parking brake. However, you can release the parking brake automatically when coming out of Park. Just put it in R (Reverse) or D (Drive) and gently tap the accelerator pedal. Parking brake automatically releases and you won't have to push it manually. Driver seatbelt has to be fastened for this to work. Check your manual for more details.

[ifletch]

Originally Posted by KPD

Yes. Put the transmission in P (Park), then manually engage your parking brake. Otherwise, you would risk putting unnecessary strain on the brake mechanism (if you accidentally lift off the brake pedal for example).

The standard terminology is now "Parking Brake" (so that there is no ambiguity regarding electronic or foot operated models). Handbrake is also commonly used in day to day lingo, of course. But all legal and technical documents refer to it as Parking Brake.

"(Ⓟ)" symbol on your instrument panel and parking brake lever has nothing to do with with the "P" on your gear lever. So... The answer to your second question is NO! Putting the gear lever in P (Park) does not automatically engage your parking brake. However, you can release the parking brake automatically when coming out of Park. Just put it in R (Reverse) or D (Drive) and gently tap the accelerator pedal. Parking brake automatically releases and you won't have to push it manually. Driver seatbelt has to be fastened for this to work. Check your manual for more details.

After putting the car in "P" do you put the parking brake on before or after taking your foot off the brake pedal? If you put the car in "P" and take your foot off the brake pedal the car slightly rolls back or forward until what I assume is the transmission holding it.

[KPD]

Originally Posted by ifletch

After putting the car in "P" do you put the parking brake on before or after taking your foot off the brake pedal? If you put the car in "P" and take your foot off the brake pedal the car slightly rolls back or forward until what I assume is the transmission holding it.

Is this your first auto?

Here's how I do it: Transmission in P (Park) >> engage parking brake >> lift off brake pedal

You can, of course, lift off brake pedal before engaging the parking brake. But I wouldn't recommend it. It's unnecessary strain on the transmission. It's also less safe, obviously. It's just a matter of getting used to it, really. It becomes muscle memory after a few days and you won't ever have to think about it.