I may have missed a "t" in my original post "no using = not using". You do want to use the emergency/parking/hand brake with an automatic transmission. You don't have to... but it is a good idea. It keeps the car from rolling onto the park pin in the transmission... which lowers the stress on both the tranny and, if on an incline, the motor mounts.

Plus, using it also means that the cable that actuates the mechanicsm gets moved around so it does not have a chance to rust up. That way those brakes will be there if you ever really need them. And if you're in a location where they check your car for that at inspection time it also saves some buck on the repair.

PS. I have also heard the term "hand brake" but what happens when it is a pedal on the floor???? Secondary foot brake?

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