[jayden]

hi,
I didn't use my RAV4 2010 limited for 2 months when I was in a travel. When I came back, I couldn't drive it because it seemed the handbrake drum of right- rear got stuck. Finally I got it free by pushing the car forth and back and then pushing pedal a little deeper.
I could see there was rust dropped from brakes.
I was told I should't use handbrake if I didn't use the car for long time, but I should be okay if there is no noise or abnormal wheel motion.

I need suggestions: do I have to send the car for the inspection? I didn't feel anything wrong with the car brakes.

thank you

 

[Blogson]

What inspection are you referring to? If your brakes are working properly and the parking brake doesn't stick any more your vehicle should be OK as is. Normally the parking brake doesn't stick unless the drums which it operates on are wet when the vehicle is parked and the brake is applied and left long enough for rust to form. One difference is that if the parking brake is used in below freezing situations and there is moisture on the drums the brake shoes can freeze in place.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

I agree. Rust buildup while parked is normal and once freed your brakes are "fixed." So instead of taking it for inspection you can just PayPal Blogson & I a small fee.
I also recommend not using the parking brake at all ever on an automatic transmission vehicle. I never do. Just shift into Park.

 

[RTexasF]

I also recommend not using the parking brake at all ever on an automatic transmission vehicle.

Opinions vary....I NEVER park without setting the e brake. Why? Years ago I failed to do that and parked on a steep incline. I did not use the e brake and couldn't shift out of park . I needed a slight push from another vehicle to take the pressure off of the parking pawl to get going. That wasn't with the RAV and was just dumb on my part (steep incline) but I've never forgotten it.

Now, if on a steep incline, I set the e brake FIRST then go to park but it is always used.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

Now, if on a steep incline, I set the e brake FIRST then go to park but it is always used.

Interesting. I haven't tried it with our RAV4 or Honda but just the other day had that exact situation with my '99 F-250 whose parking brake is non-functional due to a disconnected cable. I was loading chunks of firewood that were 18" or larger in diameter. Too heavy to lift so I load them by rolling them up two 12' homemade ramps.

(These were from trees cut down by a tree service company clearing trees near power lines on a street just up the road from my place. They removed the brush but left the logs in 6' to 8' lengths for anyone to take. I burn 8 cords each winter and these were close so I decided to get my share, hot weather or not.)

Since the logs were left next to a lightly traveled but very steep side driveway I could take my time getting them. What I did was drag each log up the driveway backwards with the truck in 4X4 Low Range then cut them to stove length, park the truck further down the hill set up the ramps and roll each chunk on. Then repeat the process.

Of course with every log the load got heavier and I only had Park to hold the truck on the hill. Had to trust the parking pawl to hold otherwise the truck would roll down the hill across the street and into the woods. What amazed me was the shift lever came out of Park like I was parked level each time. No drama at all! Guess Ford did something right. :thumbs_up:

 

[ravenuer]

I always use the parking brake. I don't pull it up tight, just lightly, unless I'm on a steep hill. Keeps everything working smoothly.

 

[Blogson]

The city of San Francisco will ticket any vehicle which is parked on public roadways and especially on hills if the parking brake is not set, and if I remember the fine was rather hefty. But when I lived in the Midwest I never used the parking brake in winter - one freeze up-experience with several days of not being able to move the car taught me that lesson.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

The city of San Francisco will ticket any vehicle which is parked on public roadways and especially on hills if the parking brake is not set,...

Yeah, San Fran came to mine immediately as a place a good parking brake is mandatory. And if parking on steep hills applied to my local I'd certainly have all mine working and be using them. I do have to say I was really impressed with how effectively and easily Park worked on the steep hill I described while loading the big chunks of firewood, but having it in 4X4 Low Range probably did ease the strain on the pawl.

 

[RTexasF]

Parking brake? Who needs it?

https://www.tflcar.com/2018/07/ford-recalls-550000-fusions-escapes/