Could not recommend the experience less.
I hope Kia and Hyundai learn from this and get OTA updates working for everything.
I was taught this as well, along with curbing my wheels. I have a young family member who was taught exactly the opposite -- setting the parking brake was "harmful" to the car somehow and not to do it.
> I hope Kia and Hyundai learn from this and get OTA updates working for everything.
I hope auto manufactures get away from the "we'll fix it in software" mentality.
I knew a friend who was also convinced of this somehow. It seems to be a common myth that it’s an “emergency” brake despite the car manual and drivers ed calling it a parking brake and stating it should be used each time, even on an automatic.
And this is exactly how people end up with a parking brake that's rusted in place and useless, which they'll discover at the worst possible time. Surreal to hear that's being taught to new drivers as a good practice.
if I lived on the west coast again or somewhere else with a lot of hills, I'd use it all the time along with curbing and leaving it in gear. I grew up on the flat prairie, parking on hills freaks me out
I was interested in reading the actual cause of this failure, but that's an unusually vague description, unless they actually mean driveshafts that weren't fully inserted into the axle/transmission.
Relatedly, I far prefer the old mechanical parking brakes over the electronically-actuated ones which are common now, since you can actually feel them engage. Likewise for the park position of the transmission.
I drive a manual, and even if you park it in gear, with some bad luck and a slighly "worn down" engine, it'll roll, so most of the people just pull the hand brake.
When I first moved to CA people would get tickets for failing to do so... but that was when police still bothered doing things. Nowadays I see more cars parked incorrectly than correctly on hills in the bay area.
Why they don’t always auto engage the parking break is beyond me. It automatically disengages when you apply throttle. Most people would literally never notice it being applied.
They're usually a pain, because if you want to tow a vehicle with them, you either have to turn the vehicle on, to disable them (not always an option if it's an electrical issue) you have to find the manual release (if the car has one), or in some cases, even remove both rear tires and unscrew a part of a brake assembly.... but yeah... not that odd, with an old renault, you had to remove a tire to change the front light.
Kia’s and Hyundais are made in and around the area I live so you see them everywhere but I could never imagine owning one or paying a $10k+ markup.
I used to work for a Korean company that supplied parts for Kia/Hyundai. That experience combined with my years of managing an import repair shop means that the only brands of automobile that I would feel comfortable purchasing are Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura.
To be fair, as someone who’s owned a 2000 ICE and a 2020 EV Hyundai, they have really upped their game.
The trim we bought was nicer than a $5k more Explorer in every single way. Even paying $10k over MSRP puts them in line with the segment.
The article talks about a faulty parking brake and that users should engage emergency brake. These are not the same thing I take it?
the emergency brake is separate. usually a handle in the centre console or a small pedal on the left side of the driver side footwell.
I will say it’s the best car I’ve ever owned, and it’s been the top rated 3 row SUV for awhile now. Great features for a great price. Though we did get gouged having to buy in 2022 (old car totaled).
It’s only “features” I don’t like seem to be on all new cars, like the engine turn off at a light always defaulting to on, and a too sensitive crash alert function (if the car in front you is turning, it will often think you’re going to crash when you’re not).
But I’ve never seen the driver of an automatic set the parking brake. Never. That gear is “park” so they use it when they park.
Only driving manuals, I have to really remind myself not to in somebody else’s car because it is probably going to stick as a result of never being used.
I'm guessing it starts as a habit, they either weren't taught in driving class or it wasn't enforced, then it became ingrained and they never got curious about what they could be wrong about,or what it means that their car rocks when they step out.
Even with a "car guy" who was working on my rear wheels (fwd) he asked if I had AWD. No buddy, I just remembered to set the brake before you got it up on the jack.
For curious readers, if you always park on level ground, just set the brake anyway as a drill. If it's busted, you'll get a chance to fix it before you need it
I also always turn my headlights on. It uses a little more gas but saves the judgement call of wondering whether it's real dark enough or whether the computer will turn them on for me. Always on.
Is it possible for modern car to be off in neutral?
Parking brakes in an automatic vehicle actually flip a piece into the gear ring. They’re absolutely rated to hold the vehicle in place without additional brakes.
I know on my Ford truck, the parking gear is rated to hold the truck plus some amount of trailer weight. If you’re above that trailer weight, they recommend engaging the manual brake.
People relying on the gearbox lock to keep the car in place is the weird part - it would be like engaging first or reverse gear on a manual car, and trusting that to keep the car in place. Even if the manufacturer showed that the engine vacuum is enough, people still rely on the right tool for the job - a brake.
This is not true. In a manual car, you’re still relying on the engine. In an automatic vehicle, it’s essentially a latch that drops into place. A well designed one should actually tighten as the vehicle attempts to roll while in park.
It seems these are failing to engage or simply failing entirely.