Automatic Parking Brake?

[Brian_B]

Sometimes, though, my Bronco automatically sets the parking brake... it's a manual transmission, so maybe that has some affect on it?

Wow, I don't think mine ever has set the parking brake on it's own.

I know it will let the parking brake off on it's own if you put it in gear and start to drive, which is nice (and drives my wife nuts). But I've never seen it set itself.

I have heard that there is a failsafe and if it detects a failure in the brake booster it will set the parking brake (to dramatic effect if you are at speed) - but that may be an EBB/2.7 only thing too, I'm not certain.

I admit I don't set the parking brake each and every time. On level pavement, I'll leave it in 1st and I'm comfortable with that. On any sort of incline though, it gets set.

I recall at Off Roadeo they had a very specific way to put the Bronco in park to prevent damage to that pall inside the AutoTrans. Stop, keep foot on brake, set parking brake, then shift to park. I am just glad I have the 7MT.

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[BigFootie]

I just wish they would have put the switch by the window buttons on the console. I supppose all the designers drive automatics and are used to never having to grab the Tee handle next to the hood release! Us manual drivers are used to it being behind the shifter. I know the older cars with bench seats had them under the dash as well but I find it a pain to use and only use it if parked on a hill.

 

[Squatch]

Wow, I don't think mine ever has set the parking brake on it's own.

I know it will let the parking brake off on it's own if you put it in gear and start to drive, which is nice (and drives my wife nuts). But I've never seen it set itself.

I have heard that there is a failsafe and if it detects a failure in the brake booster it will set the parking brake (to dramatic effect if you are at speed) - but that may be an EBB/2.7 only thing too, I'm not certain.

I admit I don't set the parking brake each and every time. On level pavement, I'll leave it in 1st and I'm comfortable with that. On any sort of incline though, it gets set.

I recall at Off Roadeo they had a very specific way to put the Bronco in park to prevent damage to that pall inside the AutoTrans. Stop, keep foot on brake, set parking brake, then shift to park. I am just glad I have the 7MT.

It could be all in my head, though. My muscle memory could be playing tricks on me and I've set the brake off of a reflex.

I just wish they would have put the switch by the window buttons on the console. I supppose all the designers drive automatics and are used to never having to grab the Tee handle next to the hood release! Us manual drivers are used to it being behind the shifter. I know the older cars with bench seats had them under the dash as well but I find it a pain to use and only use it if parked on a hill.

Or, maybe under the Engine Start button? At least it would be on the other side of the steering wheel.

I'm not friends with the buttons on the center console cliff face. Ford could put a button that spit out gold bars on there and I wouldn't press it, because the buttons are so awkward to use.

 

[adam1991]

My Gladiator slams the vehicle into park anytime you open the door with the vehicle in gear. Which sounds like a good safety feature but in practice - it’s a PITA!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Yelchin#Death

 

[adam1991]

I recall at Off Roadeo they had a very specific way to put the Bronco in park to prevent damage to that pall inside the AutoTrans. Stop, keep foot on brake, set parking brake, then shift to park.

Exactly what I described, except I added the step of "take foot off brake and let car settle in before shifting to park"

 

[Daveh370]

My wife’s Explorer has the automatic parking brake, and I hate it. I’m glad my Bronco doesn’t have it.

 

[DarthLincoln]

It could be all in my head, though. My muscle memory could be playing tricks on me and I've set the brake off of a reflex.

Been there, done that. Having mostly owned MT cars, every time I park my AT Bronco I engage the park brake out of habit. It’s so routine, it is essentially “automatic”.

 

[totaljustice]

Have you ever had difficulty taking one of your A/T cars out of park?

That would be your parking pawl being stressed.

Want to avoid that? When you park, first put it in neutral and apply the parking brake. Release the brake pedal, to let the car settle into the parking brake. Then put it into park.

I actually broke the parking pawl years ago on a 2002 Dodge Caravan. After the insurance payouts, and all the collateral damage caused from the out of control vehicle, the park brake goes on before the transmission even goes into park every time.

 

[adam1991]

Who knew? In 30 years of driving, I’ve never used a parking break on an A/T. Guess I’m lucky none of my cars/trucks have wandered off!

apparently you HAVE been lucky.

 

[SierraBronco]

My wife’s Explorer has the automatic parking brake, and I hate it. I’m glad my Bronco doesn’t have it.

The first time we tensioned our winch we used my 2022 Rappy pickup. Yep-it is very persistent in thinking that if you leave it in neutral and get out then it was a mistake and it will go ahead and apply the brake/put it in park for you. “Man why is the winch working so hard? It’s barely an incline we’re winching up”

 

[SierraBronco]

apparently you HAVE been lucky.

You don’t know how weak that pawl is until you find out the hard way, it seems. Took a little bit but wifey is all good now, especially on hills. You don’t go to park until ensuring all the weight is on the park brake.

 

[Easy-v]

Have you ever had difficulty taking one of your A/T cars out of park?

That would be your parking pawl being stressed.

Want to avoid that? When you park, first put it in neutral and apply the parking brake. Release the brake pedal, to let the car settle into the parking brake. Then put it into park.

Offrodeo taught me this! Also - there is a video somewhere of a parked Bronco letting loose....

 

[604Bronco]

Is there a way (other than perhaps Forscan) to have the parking brake automatically engage when shifting to park?

thanks

.

The only way I'm aware of is to buy a Toyota. It does it automatically for me

 

[Poppavein]

The parking brake can be improved.

Took me a while to remember which way was on and which way is off.

Life is hard. It’s harder when you’re stupid.

 

[adam1991]

The only way I'm aware of is to buy a Toyota. It does it automatically for me

Or buy a Chrysler minivan.

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