Thanks to Sheriff Buford T. Justice
We all have automatic transmissions and may not be in the habit of using the parking brake. You may not know that using the parking brake adjusts the rear pad cable and effectively adjusts your brakes like winding out the brake adjuster on a car with rear drum brakes.
Also neglecting to use the parking brake can cause premature cable failure. If you get into the habit of using your parking brake at least once a week you will always have a firmer & harder brake pedal.