You are ‘wrecking’ your transmission by skipping one simple step when parking – are you one of the people who ignore it?

A service technician says drivers are damaging their car’s transmission by not using the parking brake regularly. The warning came from a viral TikTok post by John Hiester Automotive Group, and it matters because transmission repairs cost a lot of money. The dealer employee asked a mechanic if drivers should always use their parking brake.

According to Motor1, The mechanic explained why you need to use the brake every time you park. Not using it causes long-term damage to your car’s expensive parts. When you skip this step, all the pressure goes straight to your transmission, hitting a small but important piece called the parking pawl.

“[This] takes [the] strain off your parking pawl that’s in there,” he explained in the TikTok video. “Over time, if you don’t use the parking brake, it catches that pawl and can wear that pawl down and brake, which leads to a costly repair.” Some people think you only need the parking brake on steep hills. Companies call it different names, but it does the same job. You should always set the parking brake because it’s called the parking brake for a reason.

The parking brake protects more than just your transmission

You should use your parking brake every time you park. It doesn’t matter if your car is automatic or manual, on a hill or flat ground. 

The brake should always be on when you park. Just like doing some research can save you from overly expensive tires and other car parts purchases, developing good parking brake habits now prevents bigger problems later.

There’s a specific order to follow when parking. First, pull into your parking spot. Second, keep your foot on the main brake. Third, turn on the parking brake. Finally, shift into Park and take your foot off the brake. This reduces strain on the parking pawl.

Not using the parking brake creates other problems too. If you don’t use it for a long time, the parking brake cables can rust or break. That means you’ll pay to fix the pawl and the cables. Many drivers face expensive repair quotes for preventable issues, though knowing the right approach can help you avoid overpaying for car maintenance, making regular maintenance habits even more important.

Many drivers already follow this rule. “My first car was a manual, so my mom taught me to always use the parking break. I still do it today even though I have an automatic now,” one user commented. “when I drove a stick I would always park in neutral and e brake,” another said.