Just wanted to find out how many owners out there are using their emergency brake(i.e. "Hand brake") every time they park their cars. I have always used it in all my ICE cars, both AT and MT. The need for the hand brake in a manual is obvious, but I have also used the e-brake in ATs each time as I've always thought that the e-brake would help prevent the transmission gears from getting worn out as the car would always still roll an inch or two after shifting into Park and letting up on the brake pedal.
I live in the NE area and have heard some people say before that the e-brake shouldn't be used in the winter time as it may freeze and not release if parked outside over night. The other camp(including the Car Talk brothers who are pretty savvy about cars) says that it should always be used as an additional safety measure to keep the car from rolling away when parked.
I went on the Leaf Live Chat a month ago to double check on this. The rep stated that there was no need to use the e-brake on a routine basis, that it is meant for special situations like when parked on a hill. I do feel the car rolling a few inches after I hit "Park" just like with an ICE, so the potential wear on the motor worries me. And even with the e-brake engaged, I still have to step on the pedal a good 5-6 clicks before I can tell that the brakes are really engaged(my Prius only takes 3-4 clicks).
As the Leaf is an EV, I am not really sure what is the proper way to use it, especially after I found out from same chat that the Live Chat reps don't always give the correct information.
I live in the NE area and have heard some people say before that the e-brake shouldn't be used in the winter time as it may freeze and not release if parked outside over night. The other camp(including the Car Talk brothers who are pretty savvy about cars) says that it should always be used as an additional safety measure to keep the car from rolling away when parked.
I went on the Leaf Live Chat a month ago to double check on this. The rep stated that there was no need to use the e-brake on a routine basis, that it is meant for special situations like when parked on a hill. I do feel the car rolling a few inches after I hit "Park" just like with an ICE, so the potential wear on the motor worries me. And even with the e-brake engaged, I still have to step on the pedal a good 5-6 clicks before I can tell that the brakes are really engaged(my Prius only takes 3-4 clicks).
As the Leaf is an EV, I am not really sure what is the proper way to use it, especially after I found out from same chat that the Live Chat reps don't always give the correct information.