Emergency Brake Yes/No

[VirtualJSK]

Some good comments on here, some (presumably ChatGP) nonsense too.

Have a look at this ZF parking pawl.
View attachment 7916406

When you engage park the pawl may drop into one of the slots, or on a flat section.

If you engage park on a hill and the pawl is resting on a flat section the vehicle will roll until the pawl engages. That will eventually wear the pawl or the gear.

Note the pawl on the ZF HP8 is controlled by a solenoid using hydraulics, actually the solenoid disengages the pawl rather than engages it.

Just to be clear...
The primary method of stopping a parked vehicle from moving is the handbrake. For example normally an electronic parking brake is automatically engaged when the vehicle is stopped.

While unlikely to break, replacing a parking pawl and ring will never be cheap.

If a handbrake doesn't work, it needs adjusting or the pads/shoes replacing.

Very helpful photo. Thanks.

 

[Tinerfeño]

Just to be clear...
The primary method of stopping a parked vehicle from moving is the handbrake. For example normally an electronic parking brake is automatically engaged when the vehicle is stopped.

On a level place, like my yard in Finland, I use only Park. Handbrake + Park always if there is any inclination. With manual gearbox I prefer leaving the car in gear, especially during winter to avoid freezing problems on cable or brake shoes.

And concerning wear it is better to use the handbrake regularly because that prevents jamming of the moving parts. It will be anyhow tested in MOT and if unused it may stuck. And the cable doesn't stretch any measurable amount despite daily use. I think I still have the original handbrake cable in my -93 Discovery with 600000 km in odometer.

 

[AWo]

I would always use the normal parking brake. Chances are higher, that the automatic gearbox is not damaged, when a car bumps, even lightly, into you car. The impact may lead to a bend blocking mechanism which needs a repair afterwards. With the parking brakes applied, you may end up with the wheel scratching over the tarmac or they reduce the impact.

AWo