Is it true that Americans don't use the emergency break when they park?

[-]

Powerful-Scratch1579@reddit

I always use it if I’m parked on an incline, if I’m on a flat road or in a parking lot I pretty much never use it.

[-]

thej611@reddit

Where I live is very flat (yay Midwest) so people don’t use parking brakes here at all usually. There’s really no reason to

[-]

CharlesDickensABox@reddit

You are going to get markedly different answers depending on whether people learned to drive in mountainous areas or flat ones.

[-]

pdqueer@reddit

Not true I grew up in a flat area and always used the parking brake, as do most of the people I know. That said, the answer will vary.

[-]

One thing do miss, though, is the actual manual mechanical parking brake that's supposed to be non-powered and independent of the car's braking system. So if something bad happens it's the safety net mechanical brake you can engage to slow the vehicle down to a stop.

Today automakers are just making them all electronic and button-controlled rather than pedal/lever-controlled, which terrifies me.

[-]

bathyorographer@reddit

My old Honda SUV has the manual parking brake. It’s great.

[-]

ITrCool@reddit

I never had the lever kind but my previous vehicles all had the pedal kind. (The third little pedal you mashed down in the corner, to lock the brake in place, then mashed it down further or pulled a release level under the dash to release it).

[-]

bathyorographer@reddit

The pedal kind is the one I’m referencing, and it’s pretty cool.

[-]

ITrCool@reddit

Ah yeah. I had those on my last two cars. My sister had a Pontiac Grand Am that had the hand lever-style brake and my folks had two minivans and sedans before that all that had hand lever brakes.

[-]

Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit

Do you and most people you know drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission?

[-]

FWEngineer@reddit

my previous car was manual, I'd just put it in first and turn it off. But this is pretty flat country. If I was on a noticeable slope, then I'd pull the parking brake lever.

[-]

Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit

I just feel like “always engaging the parking brake” is a manual car move. I don’t understand why anyone does it habitually in an automatic.

[-]

pdqueer@reddit

Currently almost all drive auto. I've had several manual transmission cars when I was younger.

[-]

Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit

I don’t think I know anyone who engages the e-brake as a standard parking practice, only on a steep incline. I also don’t think I know anyone who regularly drives a manual. (And this is in a not flat area.)

[-]

MamaLlama629@reddit

But did you learn on a manual?

[-]

pdqueer@reddit

Yes

[-]

MamaLlama629@reddit

That’s the key right there. Manual gets deep in your subconscious. My right hand still reaches for my stick shift so I usually just sit on my hand 😂

[-]

DirkPitt106@reddit

Same as the other guy, and no. Pretty much as soon as I'm in park, I crank the shit out of the parking brake before I let my foot off because I don't like the car shifting when I let my foot off the brake while I'm in park.

[-]

CharlesDickensABox@reddit

Sure, but it tends to be a cultural thing and generally the culture favors it where it is most necessary, i.e. where the ground slopes a lot.

[-]

GratefulTrails@reddit

My grandpa was a rancher in texas but I grew up in the coasts of Florida and texas due to my parents being in the USN. I learned how to drive in an automatic and never used my e brake. However at grandpa's he taught me standard and obviously I always used it.

I currently live in Alaska driving an automatic and for the most part still dont use my e brake.

[-]

imalittlefrenchpress@reddit

Same I use it if I’m driving a stick, but not if I’m driving an automatic. I’d probably use the e brake on an automatic if I parked on a hill in San Francisco.

[-]

ryguymcsly@reddit

My friend used to wear out the parking pawl on her automatics in two years because of this. Moved from a flat area to a hilly one and somehow never adapted.

[-]

bathyorographer@reddit

That’s so scary to think about.

[-]

Ashenfenix@reddit

You mean not stopping completely before putting it in park?

[-]

ryguymcsly@reddit

No, just constantly resting the heavy SUV on the parking pawl in her steep driveway did it, twice. The first time it was funny the second time it was like “wtf girl have you learned nothing?”

[-]

ITrCool@reddit

Dude that would just terrify me period. The car would roll forward/backward slightly until the pawl caught. I'd be terrified of the transmission giving out and the car rolling away.

I was taught ALWAYS to engage the parking brake, even if on what I think is a flat surface. No way I'm trusting just putting the car in "park" and walking away. Heck, I do this even in my garage.

[-]

FWEngineer@reddit

I haven't used the parking brake in years. No need in northern Illinois, even with the manual transmission in my previous car. I try to at least engage it and release it once a year to make sure the cable still moves. On my new car it's a push button, I'm not even sure what that does.

[-]

ITrCool@reddit

That’s what terrifies me about modern cars today. The E-Brake is supposed to be mechanically independent of the electrical systems of the vehicle so you can use it as a last-resort means to stop the vehicle.

For some reason automakers decided it was fine to just make it electronic like everything else rather than purely mechanical. So…….what happens if the power system fails?

[-]

hx87@reddit

There's also a salt vs no salt distinction. Most southerners I know do use parking brakes, but many if not most midwesterners I know do not.

[-]

molten_dragon@reddit

And whether they learned on a manual or automatic.

[-]

hx87@reddit

Brake pads are cheap, automatic transmission parking pawls are expensive, and parking cables don't really rust if you use them frequently, so I use it every time I park. I'm kind of an anomaly in my social network though.

[-]

Relax007@reddit

These comments are sort of blowing my mind. I'm American, grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. Not only do I not use my parking brake unless parked on a hill, no one has ever suggested I should. Not in driver's ed, not on the driving test, and not one of my family, friends, or coworkers in my 44 years on this planet has suggested that I should.

I've never seen anyone ever use their parking break in a regular parking situation. I'm not surprised that people do it, I'm surprised that so many people do it and I had never even heard of it. I literally had no idea that was even a thing. If there weren't so many comments from people who do, I would think this was a very niche thing.

[-]

hx87@reddit

unless parked on a hill

That's my sentiment too, but replace "hill" with "dead level parking spot", and most places I park my car at aren't dead level due to things like frost heave and roads sloped for drainage. Therefore I always use my parking brake.

[-]

tvgirl48@reddit

It's funny you say that, because I only started using it because everyone on Reddit made it sound vitally important and I figured what the hell.

But for most of my life I never used it. Maybe partly because I always heard people refer to it as an emergency brake, not a parking brake, so I figured it was for emergencies, not every day

[-]

QuarterMaestro@reddit

I use it, but mainly because if I don't, the car rolls slightly when I put it in park and release the brake. I prefer the "solid" feeling of no movement when I engage the parking brake.

It helps that it's just a button to press in my current car. If it were a traditional handle that you had to lift up with significant force, I wouldn't bother.

[-]

shelwood46@reddit

I use it with a manual, not an automatic. I do live in the technically mountains (Poconos) but my last car it was the emergency brake that got stuck on, my transmission was fine. So now I really do not use the e-brake unless necessary.

[-]

swake3@reddit

Not really required unless on a large incline when you have an automatic transmission.

[-]

getElephantById@reddit

Always use your emergency break, always turn your tires in to the curb.

[-]

hx87@reddit

always turn your tires in to the curb

Front towards curb, or rear towards curb, when the road is dead flat?

[-]

Figgler@reddit

In Seattle it makes sense. In Omaha it's not necessary or helpful.

[-]

getElephantById@reddit

It takes 1 second, and building the habit is what's most useful, because you won't always be in Omaha. It's like using your turn signals when nobody is behind you.

[-]

Rough-Trainer-8833@reddit

you sound bossy

[-]

theyork2000@reddit

Well it’s better to protect the transmission so the weight of the car isn’t resting on it.

[-]

swake3@reddit

My driveway is flat and has no curb.

[-]

imalittlefrenchpress@reddit

Oh, I learned something today. Thank you.

[-]

Astronaut6735@reddit

Required and better aren't the same thing.

[-]

wfbhp@reddit

This is the only time I ever use it and always has been.

[-]

Gallahadion@reddit

I always use it despite driving an automatic on flat terrain. I've heard that if you don't use it with some regularity, it might not work when you really need it.

[-]

Thefutureisbrightino@reddit

Unless you have a standard transmission no one uses the parking break unless you are on a steep hill.

[-]

ExternalTelevision75@reddit

I have never used my e break on my car. I’m not sure I know specifically where it is at. I put my car in park and turn it off. And, more often that not, I park on flat ground

[-]

ndubitably@reddit

I always use it. I've witnessed a few truck owners chasing after their vehicle on what seems like a mostly flat road.

[-]

Medical_Conclusion@reddit

You simply don't need it on flat ground in a modern automatic. And all the blah blah blah about how you're going to ruin your transmission is largely BS. I have a ten year old car, with close to 150,000 miles on. I have only ever used the E brake on steep inclines and the transmission is fine.

[-]

blazedancer1997@reddit

Only if I'm parked on an incline

[-]

corgimama84@reddit

On a hill yes. But not in the winter on flat surface. Parking brake froze one time.

[-]

Joel_feila@reddit

A flat state loke kanas with an automatic has no need parking brakes. I have had friemds that always use it because they drive Manuels.

[-]

MortimerDongle@reddit

Some do, some don't.

My current car has an electronic parking brake and it sets it automatically when I put the car in park or turn it off

[-]

DeathofRats42@reddit

I do. I was taught in driver's ed to use the parking brake, so that's what I do. I have noticed that when I retrieve my car from the mechanic that they don't use it though.

[-]

Premium333@reddit

I always use the oarking break. That is what it is for. Parking.

[-]

ITrCool@reddit

I've always used the e-brake when I park. Even on a flat and level surface. Just peace of mind for me that my car for sure is parked and locked in place so the risk of my transmission giving out and the car rolling is next to nothing. Also just because a space looks flat to someone doesn't mean it truly is, so trusting the Park mode of the transmission isn't worth it.

[-]

harpejjist@reddit

If they live someplace flat, it is uncommon to bother with it. If you live in San Francisco, you not only park with it but you also engage it when stopping in traffic on a hill.

[-]

LongInfinite1837@reddit

My car has an automatic parking brake, you have to push the button and then the parking brake button. But when I used to own a Jeep, I would absolutely pull the parking brake because I've seen cars roll during earthquakes

[-]

ReversedFrog@reddit

I learned to drive in a mostly flat area in an automatic car, and I always put it on.

[-]

Next_Ad_4165@reddit

I always used a parking break on any of our manual vehicles. But it’s not necessary on our automatics.

[-]

Spirited-Way2406@reddit

Alaska, in a rugged area, driving an automatic. Only when I'm parked on a slope or the winds are at hurricane force.

[-]

Chee-shep@reddit

Most people I know only put it in when parking somewhere with an incline or decline. If it’s a flat area, they usually won’t.

[-]

C0rrelationCausation@reddit

I also use it and I'm surprised to see that so many people don't

[-]

SaoirseMayes@reddit

I'm from appalachia and I use it all the time, but my mother who isn't from the mountains never uses it no matter how much I ask her to.

[-]

sean8877@reddit

I always do, it's just a habit

[-]

21schmoe@reddit

I think you mean parking break.

Never ever use it in Chicago. I've learned to use it in the hilly northeast, like northern New Jersey and Connecticut, NY state, even some parts of of NYC.

[-]

Krystalgoddess_@reddit

We don't use it unless park on a hill or it a manual car

[-]

TheGyattFather@reddit

Manual doesn't need it either (unless you're on a hill). Just park it in gear if it's on a flat surface.

[-]

CharlesDickensABox@reddit

I like to take a belt and suspenders approach to not having my car roll away while I'm not in it.

[-]

showerbabies1@reddit

“Belt and suspenders approach” I’ve never heard this before and will use it. Take my upvote good sir and have a great day!

[-]

CharlesDickensABox@reddit

Congratulations on being one of today's lucky 10,000! It's a useful bit of language, enjoy it.

[-]

TheGyattFather@reddit

The car isn't going anywhere if you park it in gear (not neutral).

[-]

Pitiful_Lion7082@reddit

I only use it when I'm parked on a hill.

[-]

Darmok47@reddit

This thread is blowing my mind. I use it every single time, because that's how I was taught.

[-]

Wild_Ticket1413@reddit

The vast majority of Americans drive cars with automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions don't require the parking brake to be set, because the design of the transmission prevents the car from rolling when parked. They have a "parked" setting. Unless it's a very steep hill, I don't use the parking brake in an automatic.

A car with a manual transmission, however, can roll when parked if the parking brake is not set. Manual transmission do no have "parked" setting and should be put in neutral when parked. If the transmission is in neutral, the car can roll, so the parking brake should always be set in a manual transmission. If you park on an incline and don't set the parking brake, you may return to find your car is not where you left it.

[-]

Louisianimal09@reddit

Louisiana is flat. There’s no need for it unless I’m in my evora which is a manual transmission. I do put the parking brake on for that

[-]

SabresBills69@reddit

only use it when I park on an incline. first example one lot at a store I go to is a bit uneven like it’s on a bit of a hill so yourbparking spot might be 10+ incline

[-]

Libertas_@reddit

I put the e brake on when I park not because it’s mandatory but because it’s a good habit as a just in case kind of thing.

[-]

myshellly@reddit

I got a new car about a year ago and didn’t realize until this thread that I don’t even know where the emergency brake is. I also had no idea there were people who used it every time they park. I’ve never heard of that.

[-]

devilscabinet@reddit

I use mine.

[-]

anneofgraygardens@reddit

I use it 100% of the time. I've noticed that my sister doesn't always if we're parked somewhere flat. We learned to drive from literally the same people. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[-]

ServoWHU42@reddit

Having never driven manual or lived outside of Michigan or Ohio, I have never

[-]

_badwithcomputer@reddit

I set my parking brake when I park to protect my transmission and parking pawl.

But in the US automatic transmissions are far far more common than everywhere else in the world so setting a brake when parking is a bit less critical than in a standard/manual transmission.

[-]

CrabbyUnderARock@reddit

I always set the parking brake, regardless of what kind of surface I’m parked on. It’s peace of mind anywhere.

[-]

According-Union382@reddit

I live in the mountains so, yes, I have and do.

[-]

TheJokersChild@reddit

You don't realize how many of us have automatic tranmissions. Once we're in Park, there are mechanisms in place to "lock" the car from moving, unlike a manual, where you need the brake (not break) to keep the car from rolling away once it's in Neutral.

On steep hills, it's possible that you'll need it if your wheels aren't turned toward the curb like they should be.

[-]

ChipsAhoyMccoy14@reddit

I don't find it weird when people do it but I usually don't. I think it used to be a bigger thing with older cars.

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

No, it's still a big deal. Use your parking break, at least when you're on non-flat terrain.

[-]

EstablishmentSea7661@reddit

Right but like, there's a big difference if you live in Illinois (where a regional term for downstate Illinois residents is "flatlander"), or Florida, or Kansas or such, vs any state with the Cascades or Rockies. Some states don't have non-flat terrain.

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

I grew up in a pretty flat state, and I didn't find this weird hesitancy to use the parking break to be common at all. I wonder if it's a generational thing. Pretty weird.

[-]

EstablishmentSea7661@reddit

Idk, I only do it while street parking, even if the street is flat. I was taught to always use it but I think that tapered off probably within weeks of getting my license.

[-]

soupdawg@reddit

I don’t have a parking brake

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

Why not?

[-]

soupdawg@reddit

My car didn’t come with one.

[-]

WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

Some cars it’s an extra foot break or a button, not a hand break you pull up.

[-]

tetlee@reddit

Cars in the US have been required to have them since the 70s..

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

Mmmhm. And what kind of car is this?

[-]

Porcupine-in-a-tree@reddit

We live in the mountains and always use a parking break.

[-]

cdb03b@reddit

If you park on flat land it is not needed. If you are in hill or mountains it is needed. Habits vary by location.

[-]

BaseClean@reddit

You're not supposed to use them all the time; only when parked on a "sloped" area.

[-]

Curmudgy@reddit

I always use it. And I learned to drive in an area that wasn't mountainous though it does have occasional hills. Plus I've never found an expert who disagreed with always using it.

But I'm aware that many people don't. In some cases, it's because of believing that the parking brake might freeze into place in cold weather; afaik, that's a myth, or at least outweighed by the possibility of it freezing into place due to lack of use.

[-]

Crayshack@reddit

I was taught to always use it, but apparently not everyone is.

[-]

TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Like 99% of our cars are automatic and don't need this. I might still I'm on a steep hill but that's it.

[-]

Shadow_in_Wynter@reddit

I grew up in a completely flat city. I always use i t(automatic). My parents always used it (manual and automatic). My driving instructor said to always use it. I, personally, don't know anyone who doesn't use it. That's a strange concept to me.

[-]

therealbamspeedy@reddit

I'm 50, have never in my life used the hand brake except when I did own a manual for a few years. Yes, I remember learning 35 years ago to use it when parking on a hill, but I've never parked on a steep hill to warrant it. There were probably times I've parked on a slight incline (my driveway for example), but I have never bothered to engage the hand brake.

Had a loaner vehicle from mechanic once (our car being fixed up from collision with deer), both me and my wife thought the loaner car ran for crap. I eventually realized the parking brake was partially engaged.

[-]

WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

The only people I know who do consistently are people who drive sticks or grew up driving stick. If your car is automatic you don’t really need to, except maybe on steep hills.

[-]

Outlaw_Josie_Snails@reddit

Depending on the model, many modern cars have Automatic Parking Brakes (sometimes called Electronic Parking Brakes or EPB).

In many modern cars, the traditional hand-lever or foot-pedal "emergency brake" has been replaced by a small electronic switch.

Many cars (like those from Honda, Toyota, and Mercedes) will automatically set the parking brake the moment you put the transmission in "Park."

Some vehicles are programmed to engage the brake as soon as the ignition is turned off to prevent any chance of rolling.

[-]

travelinmatt76@reddit

I always use it, no matter what

[-]

ClerkLonely4061@reddit

On an incline or when driving manual.

[-]

pumpkin_antler@reddit

I use my parking break every time I park, hilly or not. I did not grow up with hills. I learned to drive only with an automatic but later learned a manual and have always used the parking break either way.

[-]

quarantina2020@reddit

I only use it when parking on steep hills.

[-]

stranqe1@reddit

*brake

[-]

PopEnvironmental1335@reddit

Depends on where you live. I always use it when parked on a hill.

[-]

HR_King@reddit

On most current cars it's called a parking brake, not an emergency brake. I've always had manual transmissions until my current car, so always used it. My current car is an EV, and the parking brake engages automatically.

[-]

Apocalyptic0n3@reddit

I only use it when parking on an incline. Otherwise, there's not really any reason to since we all drive automatic transmissions.

[-]

SummitJunkie7@reddit

I drive a manual, but I first learned on an automatic and was not in a particularly hilly area. I was taught to use the parking break and I always have.

[-]

cyvaquero@reddit

Like others have said - depends where. In the middle Appalachians where I grew up, usually. Also should mention more often than not I also had manuals then. Ten years ago in relatively flat San Antonio, usually not unless on a slope.

My last few Silverados have had auto parking brake.

[-]

ravenlily@reddit

I only use mine when my driveway is icy.

[-]

GOTaSMALL1@reddit

My truck and my wife’s SUV don’t have them anymore.

I guess more accurately they’re automatic… so we don’t have the option to set or not set the parking brake.

[-]

Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit

All cars have e-brakes though they may not be in the form of a lever any more.

[-]

OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit

Every single time. Live in flat area.

It never occurred to me not to. I am shocked at these responses.

[-]

CoderPro225@reddit

I’m high school I had a car with a manual transmission. Used the park brake all the time. Since then my vehicles have had automatic transmissions, so I only occasionally use it. That being said, my parents have a steep driveway and if I end up parking on the sloped part at their house (or other similar places) I definitely use it then.

[-]

maayanisgay@reddit

I grew up in New York and never saw anyone use it, EVER, unless parked on a hill. Moved abroad in my twenties and my partner FREAKED out when I did not use it. It's been ten years now and it feels weird to me to NOT use it now. Like... Did I just never notice how the car sways back and forth a little when you get out if you don't have the brake on?

[-]

ants_taste_great@reddit

Most newer cars automatically go to emergency brake when parking. This is for auto transmission cars, I am guessing manual is different.

[-]

kipkiphoray@reddit

I use the hand brake / emergency brake when parked on hills.

[-]

Emergency-Machine-55@reddit

Most new Toyotas and Hondas automatically engage and disengage the electronic parking brake when you shift into and out of park. Same with a lot of EVs. Annoyingly, some manual transmission cars have replaced the mechanical handbrake lever with a digital switch although they usually have the hill stop feature.

[-]

jasonreid1976@reddit

I almost never use it. On the occasion that I do, it is because I am parking on a steep slope.

My inlaws? They would put the emergency brake on even if the car was parked in a concave bowl.

[-]

Aware_Acanthaceae_78@reddit

I don’t use it unless I’m on a slope. You don’t need to always use it. It’s an extra thing to do. I’m 44 and never had an issue.

[-]

1029394756abc@reddit

I wouldn’t even know how to do this

[-]

OptatusCleary@reddit

I always use it, even when parking in my own garage. I don’t see any reason not to.

[-]

underhand_toss@reddit

I use the e-brake every time I park, without fail. Learned how to drive on an automatic transmission car in relatively flat suburbia, although there was a small slope ( up from the road to the house) to all the driveways.

[-]

94grampaw@reddit

Yes we do i dont know any one who doesn't.

[-]

Aggravating_Anybody@reddit

Manual transmission? Yes, every time.

Automatic transmission? No, almost never unless I’m on a crazy incline, towing something heavy, or jacking the car up for maintenance.

[-]

TehWildMan_@reddit

A lot of modern cars use it automatically now, it seems

[-]

lady_abbica@reddit

I know I always have. /Shrug

[-]

big_bob_c@reddit

When I learned to drive "a few" decades ago, my parents called it the parking brake, and we always used it when parked.

[-]

Hitthereset@reddit

Only on hills, really.

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

No. What the hell are you watching?

Sometimes people don't. But usually people do. Sometimes it depends on what kind of terrain they park on. But usually it doesn't matter.

[-]

theyork2000@reddit

I met quite a few people international that think Americans don’t use the handbrake and it does happen. I even noticed it a bunch when watching The Mentalist. Reading through these comments there are plenty that don’t.

[-]

ryguymcsly@reddit

In a lot of places that aren’t America use of the handbrake is part of the driving test and they don’t just use it for parking.

I can vouch that driving a manual proper handbrake use can get you out of a sticky situation.

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

I'd usually say that television isn't a good guide to how people actually drive, because the way people behave while driving on TV is often divorced from every day reality.

But it kind of blows my mind how many people on reddit don't seem to ever use a parking break. I didn't grow up in a particularly hilly place, but still. It's weird.

[-]

Browsing4Advice@reddit

I’m 45 and I can only think of one person that I know who uses it regularly. It’s not necessary where I live. It’s pretty flat.

[-]

ThisDerpForSale@reddit

Pretty flat isn't the same as completely flat, though. See my above edit.

[-]

rowsoflark@reddit

My father when I was learning to drive said its a good habit to have using it and theres not mountain within an hours drive of us.

[-]

VioletJackalope@reddit

I have used mine, but I don’t need to every time. I live in a flat, coastal area of the US so it’s just not necessary for the average parking spot. There is the occasional steep driveway, but that’s about it. The mountains on the other side of the state are a different story, and I absolutely do use it when I park out there because you pretty much have to.

[-]

officerboba@reddit

My car does it automatically but whenever I use one that doesn’t automatically engage I still use it because I don’t want it to rust or break from lack of use.

[-]

Different_Cherry8326@reddit

I never used to use it, unless I parked on a hill. But I had automatic transmission cars, so it wasn’t really necessary. And I would always forget to turn it off until I’d driven a couple blocks and started wondering why my car was slow.

My newer cars have an electronic parking brake, which is more convenient. So I use it regularly now. Although it still probably isn’t necessary.

[-]

CatPurrsonNo1@reddit

I usually do, because it was drilled into my head when I took driver’s ed in high school.

Also, our driveway slopes down towards the road, and I want to reduce the risk of my car rolling down into the street.

[-]

mattcmoore@reddit

Regardless of whether people do it or not, that's what they teach you in driver's ed. In some American school districts they teach driving in public schools so teenagers can get their drivers licenses.

[-]

JadeHarley0@reddit

I did when I drove a stick shift

[-]

h4baine@reddit

I don't unless I'm parked on a hill. Same is true for everyone else I've driven with.

[-]

Cecowen@reddit

I’ve never once used it

[-]

penguin_0618@reddit

I’m shocked by all these people saying they always use it am so does everyone they know. I only use if I’m parked on a hill. I don’t anyone who always uses it.

[-]

John_Barnes@reddit

Up here in the Rockies where I live now, and in Pittsburgh when I lived there, there is hardly any level ground to speak of, and we use our parking brakes. The relatively few Americans who still drive a manual shift also use the parking brake (I did for many years).

Vast parts of the country, however, are proportionately flatter than a pool table, and simply leaving an automatic transmission in park suffices.

[-]

Remote_Pick_1952@reddit

The vast majority of the cars in the US have an automatic transmission. So, the emergency brake is not used as often. We do still use the break when parking on a steep hill.

[-]

billymondy5806@reddit

I always use it. I always pull the parking brake before I get out of the car. But my first car was a manual transmission. so I always learned to pull the parking brake.

[-]

ophelias_tragedy@reddit

I do it every single time because it’s what my mom taught me while teaching me to drive and what her dad taught her, but I am absolutely an outlier among my friends. It’s not common and the emergency brake is usually just used for emergencies.

[-]

Dr_Watson349@reddit

In 20 plus years of driving i have used it maybe a half dozen times when i was in areas where there was an incline. Also when i was trying to learn to drive stick.

But as someone who lives in a state with a max elevation of just over 300 feet, we don’t really have inclines. So no reason to use.

[-]

reflect25@reddit

ill be honest i virtually don't... and honestly lots of my friends don't either.

i only activate it when on a slope.

Is it true that Americans don't use the emergency break

i googled a bit more, it seems part of the practice arose because of automatic transmission. for (practically) all manual cars you have to use the 'emergency brake'. whereas for americans our P gear has the parking pawl that will lock it (though not as good as the real brake).

that's usually sufficient for many American flat cities though.

[-]

_iusuallydont_@reddit

I do but because I learned to drive on a manual car so it’s habit for me. It’s also common to use when parking on hills but outside of that I don’t think most people do.

[-]

Smart_Engine_3331@reddit

Depends on if im on a hill. If im not, I usually don't bother since it makes no difference usually.

[-]

jaxsaxsf@reddit

I always use the parking break, but I'm in San Francisco, so I even use it when driving sometimes to get started going up a hill.

[-]

SMF67@reddit

Not true. The idea of not using it is absurd to me

[-]

cheetuzz@reddit

most don’t use the emergency/parking brake when they park when it’s an Automatic car.

I still do because it’s still safer in case the tiny possibility where the Automatic gear fails (it’s happened in some vehicles before). I also drive a manual, so it’s a good habit.

[-]

happygoth6370@reddit

My husband and I always use it, flat or hill, manual or automatic.

[-]

beartpc12293@reddit

Even on flat land I use mine. Transmission preservation is the main reason

[-]

Cocacola_Desierto@reddit

no?

[-]

DonJota5@reddit

If its a manual yes if not only on a hill or maybe if its icey on an inclined driveway, basically try to use common sense kinda deal

[-]

Aloh4mora@reddit

I never did it in Minnesota, which is very flat.

Then I moved to a hilly city and now I always use it.

[-]

washtucna@reddit

I use it when I'm on a hill. If I'm on flat land, there is no need for it.

[-]

Narrow-Journalist889@reddit

I haven’t used it since I got rid of my car with the stick. And even then I mostly just parked in gear 1 or R and only used the brake on a significant hill.

[-]

AKA-Pseudonym@reddit

I do it every time. That way I'm not relying on my future self's ability to be 100% cognizant of the need to do so forever and at all times. It's just a habit I don't have to worry up my car rolling away because I picked the wrong day to be distracted.

It can be a problem if you live somewhere where it gets very cold though. So maybe I'd think differently if I grew up in Minnesota or where ever.

[-]