[ptaipale]

That's generally not a good idea. Cable stretch is not a problem, it can be adjusted (and generally modern cars often have a self-adjust system for handbrake cable, even for manual handbrakes).

Handbrake should be used to keep it effective (so that the cable moves regularly and does not get stuck). And, if the gear is released accidentally, you still have the brake, and vice versa.

(Myself, I have always parked with handbrake on + gear in 1st or reverse; nowadays with my VW it's pretty automatic because it's DSG and you have to put the selector to P to take the key out, and electric parking brake activates automatically.)

[leeoniya]

actually my Alltrack has EPB so i dont think there's a cable (or any mechanical linkage) from the brake lever to the caliper. sounds like it's all electronic -> hydraulic. in that case i should probably use it more.