On my recent LR day in an SD4 HSE, the instructor said how he hated the hand brake. When I came to a stop in the car park (flat) I pulled up the hand brake out of habit and he said it was pointless as it was in park anyway.

So does this mean then if you have an auto and park on a steep hill you will not need the hand brake?

Answers on a postcard please  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Absolutely definitely need the hand brake if you park on a hill with an auto... All that park does is engages a small pin which locks up the transmission, but the pressure of holding the weight of a Land Rover on a hill will at best damage and at worst break the pin in the gearbox.

I know a lot of people who dont use hand brakes on the flat but it is a must on hills

Its also worth noting that whilst an auto in park will lock the transmission, it does not lock the wheels and so if one wheel slips the action of the diff will let the other wheel move in the opposite direction! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

I used to get a loud clunk when parking on my old driveway due to the handbrake slipping and putting pressure on the pin Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

I used to get a loud clunk when parking on my old driveway due to the handbrake slipping and putting pressure on the pin

Think its the norm fo rmost automatics! Best if you apply the hand brake firmly before putting into Park. This will take the strain and avoid you rocking the car on the pin before applying the handbrake... Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

I always use the hand brake - but - on one of the LRE courses I was told that if I had just driven through water in near freezing conditions , or deep snow, then it would be wise not to use the hand brake in case dampness caused the mechanism to freeze on. I expect they also said park on the flat. We were in an auto FL2 at the time.

Nazca Sand Eddie wrote:

I always use the hand brake - but - on one of the LRE courses I was told that if I had just driven through water in near freezing conditions , or deep snow, then it would be wise not to use the hand brake in case dampness caused the mechanism to freeze on. I expect they also said park on the flat. We were in an auto FL2 at the time.

Norwegians are taught not use the handbrake on any vehicle in winter for the same reasons N-S Eddie has mentioned. However, not being a native of the frozen north, I have found out several times the hard way "why not"  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

The hand brake is fitted for a reason, If LR or any other car maker thought they didn't need to fit there would save a few ££ and not fit it. I agree with Captain Worm.
Best to use every time even on the flat

jp wrote:

The hand brake is fitted for a reason, If LR or any other car maker thought they didn't need to fit there would save a few ££ and not fit it. I agree with Captain Worm.
Best to use every time even on the flat

Then you have never expeianced a frozen hand brake  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.