Parking brake
In cars, the parking brake, also called hand brake, emergency brake, or e-brake, is a latching brake usually used to keep the vehicle stationary. It is sometimes also used to prevent a vehicle from rolling when the operator needs both feet to operate the clutch and throttle pedals. Automobile hand brakes usually consist of a
cable directly connected to the brake mechanism on one end and to a lever or foot pedal at the driver's position. The mechanism is often a hand-operated
lever (hence the
hand brake name), on the floor on either side of the
driver, or a pull handle located below and near the steering wheel column, or a (foot-operated)
pedal located far apart from the other pedals.
....
The most common use for a parking brake is to keep the vehicle motionless when it is parked. Parking brakes have a
ratchet locking mechanism that will keep them engaged until a release button is pressed. On vehicles with
automatic transmissions, this is usually used in concert with a
parking pawl in the transmission. Automotive safety experts[
who?] recommend the use of both systems to immobilize a parked car, and the use of both systems is required by law in some places[
citation needed], yet many individuals use only the "Park" position on the automatic transmission and not the parking brake. It's similar with manual transmission cars: They are recommended always to be left with the handbrake engaged, in concert with their lowest gear (usually either first or reverse). The use of both systems is also required by law in some jurisdictions. However, when parking on level ground, many people either only engage the handbrake (gear lever in neutral), or only select a gear (handbrake released).
If parking on a hill with only one system results in the car rolling and damaging the car or other property, insurance companies in some countries, for example in Germany, aren’t required to pay for the damages.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_brake