Final answer:
It is advisable to always use the parking brake even if you are away from your vehicle for only a short time, as it provides security and reduces stress on the vehicle's transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of the parking brake is an important practice regardless of the duration you are away from your vehicle. Engaging the parking brake provides an extra level of security and reduces stress on the transmission system, which holds your car in place when it is parked. Even if you will only be away from your car for a short time, circumstances might change and what was intended to be a brief stop could turn into a longer period. Forgetting to use the parking brake, even for a short time, could result in the vehicle rolling away if parked on an incline or if the transmission system fails. Therefore, as a safety measure, it is recommended to always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked.