TiAgX5, like you and Doru, I use my handbrake, but every time!
Its smarter/better for the useage of an automatic transmission as well. I've read reports proving this as well, but in honesty there is the real world test (and you can try yourself). try it on a hill using my method then not using the parking brake.
How I park my Automatic vehicles (as was described to me):
When parking, bring vehicle to a full stop using foot pedal brake.
While foot pedal still being pressed, Put vehicle in Neutral and pull up on hand brake.
let go of foot pedal and vehicle MAY shift (depending on angle being parked or strength of parking brake system).
Once car has stop shifting/moving (if at all) then put vehicle in park.
when putting into gear from Park:
Press foot pedal and remove gear from Park into any other gear and keep foot on brake pedal.
With brake pedal still pressed, now lower the hand brake.
Drive away with a smile on your face.
This method of parking (ESPECIALLY on an incline) then puts NO STRESS on the transmission's Parking Pawl. This stress I speak of is when you are parking on a hill (or even slight incline) and you put vehicle in park then let off foot pedal and vehicle moves a bit to a rest position. Then when you go to put vehicle in any gear from Park, and you have a "notch " feel or a clunk sound when you shift OUT of park, well this is because all the weight of the vehicle is resting on this part inside the transmission. So be friendly to it and use the handbrake.
Parking pawl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
read the section under recommendations.