Dear Car Talk:

Our new Toyota Tundra uses ALL of the available space in our garage. And if I want to close the garage door, I have to pull within inches of the front wall.

Here’s the problem: The automatic brake system continually hits the brakes for me every time I approach the wall, even though I am just creeping at 1 mph.

Is there a danger in repeatedly having the auto brake system activate when I park each time? Will this damage the brakes? -- Dan No, but it might damage your neck, Dan.

For those who don’t have this feature, lots of newer cars have automatic emergency braking. If the car’s sensors conclude that there’s an obstacle ahead (a stopped car, for instance), and you haven’t given any indication that you’re aware of it by taking your foot off the gas or hitting the brakes, the automatic braking system kicks in.

As a first step, the vehicle will issue an audible and/or visual warning. And then, if you continue to browse your wife’s sister’s Instagram photos while the obstacle gets closer, it will actually apply the brakes for you to prevent a crash.

Many cars and trucks also have a slow-speed version of this system for use in parking. It works in both forward and reverse. So, if trying to parallel park between two Maseratis, and you’re about to take out the hood of the one behind you, the system will warn you and then apply the brakes to keep you from hitting it and having to join the witness protection program.

This can be incredibly useful. It can also be irritating, as you’ve learned, Dan. So, your vehicle (and most others) allows you to turn off the slow-speed auto brake feature in situations where you’d rather it mind its own business.

On the Tundra, there’s a button to the left of your steering wheel with an image of a car making impact with a traffic cone and the word “OFF” underneath it. When you pull into your garage, just press that button.

An orange light with that same image will show up on your dashboard, letting you know that the system is off. You’ll still hear the audio warning when the sensors detect a nearby obstacle (like the garage wall), but the truck will not apply its own brakes. Once that light is off, Dan, you are free to drive right into your radial arm saw.

It’s also useful for going through a car wash. Just keep in mind that most vehicles will reset the system to “On,” when you restart. So, you’ll have to hit the button each time you pull into the garage. But that’s better than the whiplash, right?