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Subject Topic: A question re automatics
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PersonSupatramp
13/11/2015 at 10:11pm
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If you drive an automatic car, do you use the handbrake/parking brake?

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David.


I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!


Personbillyboggins
13/11/2015 at 10:30pm
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i rarely use my handbrake ,usually put it in Park...Volvo V70 2.5 diesel

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billyboggins


PersonHacksaw Bob
13/11/2015 at 10:33pm
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I do, unless I anticipate being able to move off within a few seconds, usually selecting neutral at the same time.

Exceptions might be when driving towards rising or setting sun when holding the brake lights on makes the car more visible to following drivers.

Parking, I use both the handbrake and Park.


PersonSHOGUN30
14/11/2015 at 7:37am
 Location: west mids
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I don't use my handbrake all the time just put it in park,I do try to remember to use it sometimes to stop it seizing up

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Twin axle all the way


Personclbewi
14/11/2015 at 8:27am
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Only if parked on a hill.

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Claire and Colin


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PersonIainM
14/11/2015 at 12:00pm
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I use the electronic handbrake on mine all the time.

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2020 Volvo XC60 B5 R Design Geartronic / 2018 Swift Elegance 580

Best Wishes

Iain


PersonGCMS2012
14/11/2015 at 12:08pm
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Our drive has a slight incline, so yes.

Pull on drive, hold on foot brake, into neutral, release foot brake, handbrake on and then into park so the 'holding' is on the handbrake not the gearbox.

I was told the tiny 'locking' part that holds the car in park is only the size of a 10p piece, and advised to only use Park on level ground.

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


Person664DaveS
14/11/2015 at 6:32pm
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I have always used the parking brake on autos I have owned (Old Range Rover) and those hired.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonAcornis
14/11/2015 at 9:06pm
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Hardly ever.

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Just saying
If all is not lost where is it then?


PersonJTQU
14/11/2015 at 9:31pm
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I use the electronic parking brake on a Disco3, and use the neutral position for the shift; well it is next to "drive".
Using the "parking position would mean passing through and selecting "reverse" and neutral, both to move off and to wait.
Neutral is position between drive and reverse so either is readily selected.


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Personjasie
14/11/2015 at 10:38pm
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Hardly ever use it in day to day use....never us it on the driveway.

Only time is when hooking up the caravan...and that's only so it doesn't move in inch when I get out of the car to hookup


PersonJTQU
15/11/2015 at 7:02am
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With "electronic" parking brakes using it is about the best way of fending off having problems with it.


PersonTaylor56
15/11/2015 at 9:24am
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If you knew what was holding the car you would use the handbrake.


Personalpiner
15/11/2015 at 12:50pm
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Always when parking, as above.
When you take your car for an MOT and it fails because of the lack of use you will be surprised at how much it cost you to put it right
Lets face it how much effort does it take to use it
Or is it like turn indicators app 20% of drivers don't bother with then.

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alpiner


PersonGCMS2012
15/11/2015 at 1:56pm
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20% alpiner!!??

I'd say more like 80%.

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


PersonSupatramp
15/11/2015 at 4:42pm
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Thanks for your comments folks, the reason I asked was because of an experience a few days ago.

It's a toss-up between the Santa Fe and a newer Sorento to replace the current Sorento. We had runs in both cars, the Santa Fe with an electronic brake handily placed just behind the gear lever. However, the Sorento has a foot operated brake and releasing it had my knee fully bent right up when fully released. It's even more of an issue for my wife who is quite short.

The salesman's reaction was to say that automatic drivers seldom used the hand/parking brake, just using 'Park', which to be honest,left me a bit gobsmacked! We've had autos for a good number of years now, allbeit with traditional type handbrakes, and I'd never even thought of depending on 'Park' instead of the handbrake.

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David.


I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!



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