Does the parking brake need to be used regularly? I only use it when I'm parked on an incline. If I'm level, then I don't use it. I've heard different opinions and, of course, the manuals tell you to use it all the time. Thanks.

 

Depends. Do you drive an auto or a stick? Shifting into park on an auto is usually sufficient for autos, unless (as you mentioned) you're on a steep incline/decline.

When you drive a stick, one usually pulls the parking brake....unless you want your car rolling.

 

Fora manual shift, some people put it in first gear to hold the car instead of the hand brakes. I leave it in reversebecause if some one bumps the car, ruiningthe reverse gear is the lessor evil. But I also use the hand brakes when I park on a hill.
Regardless of manual or auto, you should use the hand brakes at least once a week to prevent seizing. On the other hand,BMW at one time advisesnot toapply the hand brakes insnowy winter as the cable may freeze and the hand brakes cannot be released.

 

personally id do it on either transmisson just to be on the safe side i kno its not like it can actually HURT ur car

 

i agree........it take .7 seconds of ur time each time u use it.......and 10% of ur arm strength.........why not use it?

i use it every time i leave my car......hill or no hill.

i do have a manual tranny tho, but i do it in Autos too!

 

I know some cars have an auto adjust for the e-brake. Does the mazda as well, or do you need to manual adjust the e-brake as the pad wears down?

 

Thanks to all. My car is an automatic. This came up because my the parking brake handle got stuck in my nephew's Audi wagon (also automatic). I told him that I rarely used mine, but his mechanic told him that not using the parking brake can ruin the transmission.