What is everyone doing? Obviously if the car is on a hill I would use the parking brake. What about a level parking lot? What about bedding in the parking brake, good idea?

 

That's the choice of the owner. I never use the parking brake on the level.

 

Good question, i wonder once, but i've search the internet and ask that question to some mechanics. As some will say, they ALWAYS see bad condition E-brake on automatic cars for the reason that owners don't use them and they rust to the point of replacement. Almost NONE of the manual cars have bad E-brake or better condition than automatic.

So from that, i regularly use my E-brake at least 3x a week, no harm on that. Just don't forget to release it which happen often on automatic.

 

I always use my parking brake even when parked in my garage. It is just a habit that I have and feel it is worth while to acitivate while parked. That is what it is designed for. I do this on all of my vehicles.

 

Not an ES owner, but mine gets used every day too - mainly since my driveway is on a slight incline. I'm told using it and not letting the car rock back after in "P" helps the transmission. Could be bunk... oh well.

When parked on a level surface like the lot at work, I don't use it.