mis3

Do you set the parking brake every time you park your automatic car?

For me, it's a habit because I used to drive cars with manual transmissions. I noticed that a lot of people do not set their parking brake, even on a slope. What are the pros and cons? I know one pro for setting is to protect the transmission which is very expensive to repair.

mrbobby

Most North Americans rarely use the parking brake. As a result you will find a lot of cable rust eventually resulting in inoperable parking brakes. This has to be a "con".

Tall Paul

Good call on the tranny. Not too often you find someone who knows that.

mis3

Every time I go to the indie for service and if they have to jack up the car, I usually ask him to spray WD40 to the cable (at the Y-junction).

When I park my car without setting the parking brake, the car would slide a bit. I think the transmission is locking the car, this must put stress to the transmission unnecessarily.

On the other hand, the parking brake works on a drum system which is independent to the rear brakes. How about the wear-and-tear of this drum brake?

Tall Paul

First, my knowledge of MB is very limited as I have only owned and worked on one since the end of January this year. Having said that, take this for what it is worth: using a lube on the cables is ok, just don't overdo it, as the oil will pick up dust and eventually it will turn to a very abrasive sludge. If your e-brake cable rides in a plastic sheath, the sheath may eventually wear through and let even more moisture and dirt in. Just using your e-brake regularly will keep it free. As to the transmission, I am not sure if MB uses one or not, but most NA transmissions use a parking pawl. A huge amount of pressure is placed on the dowel when parked on a slope, and yes it can cause major damage when forced out of the pawl to put it into gear.

mis3

Thanks. I knew it's not good for the transmission and I now know why.

I googled this parking pawl and as expected, it is an expensive repair.

Fatz

Ditto on the transmission strain when not setting the parking brake and the damage that can occur when taking it out of park when not having the parking brake on. (My wife is awful with this).

My driveway is on a steep incline to the top, then a slight incline --- P brake on.

CLK resides mostly in garage; I jack it up a lot --- P brake habit intact

Not a big fan of kids, but would not want to reduce their shot at being adults --- P brake on. And, most little kids will not be able to both shift the car out of park and release the parking brake, when the little rascals are trying to mimic their parents.

Keeps some people from prematurely backing up while they put on their lipstick and adjust their hair.

DanielFD

With all the hills and mountains in Lebanon its almost impossible to find somewhere to park without the handbrake outside of the capitol. So I have a little habit that I think protects the trans the most. I go through this sequence:

1. Press down the brake pedal (not handbrake)
2. Put the gear knob in N
3. Press down Handbrake
4. Slowly decrease pressure off of the brake pedal (not handbrake) until the car is stopped on the handbrake completely
5. Shift gear knob into P

This completely removes the jerking when shifting out of park after stopping your car and is probably the less stressful procedure for your trans.

mis3

I do the following in sequence for my automatic w209 every time I park:
1. Press down the brake pedal (not handbrake)
2. Put the gear knob in P
3. Press down parking brake

I found that this way, the car would not move after I release the brake pedal so the parking brake is locking the car, not the transmission.

gaazmon

that's what i do as well when needed

doesn't that still put the stress on the transmission? With Daniel's method above, the stress is actually being put on the parking brake, which i always thought was better (such on inclines).

mis3

There is a small incline in my home garage.

When I do the routine as above, my car never move after I release the regular brake.

On the other hand, if I do not put the parking brake, the car will always slide back a bit afterward.

kb24forlife24

I've been using the parking brake ever since I learned that it can protect the transmission.

mis3

Actually, what is the proper way to set the parking brake?

Apolosize if this sounds like a trivial question. I noticed that it would go down another 1-2 click if I step harder. I am concerned this may stretch the cable.

Rudeney

When I learned to drive, I was taught to never shift the car in or out of park unless the parking brake was set, and to always set the parking brake on a hill. Unless I'm parked on the flat surface of my garage, I always set the brake.

As for pressing it a few extra clicks, yes, over time, that may stretch the cable, but it can be adjusted. In fact, it should have regular checks and adjustments, say every two years with a B-service.

mis3

I think it is a good practice to apply the parking brake every time we park. In many occasions, I thought the street was flat but after I released the service brake, the car would roll front or back a bit.

DanielFD

Actually you are stressing the trans in that way. Or your handbrake brake pads are really thick and they are holding the drum instantly; before the parking gear in the trans holds the car.

mis3

After the parking brake is set and since the car does not slide back when I release the service brake, isn't this the sign that parking brake is holding the car?

Tall Paul

If we assume that your parking brake pads are of sufficient thickness to operate properly, and if we assume that the cable/lever/pedal/drum and pad clearance are all adjusted properly, then either method is correct. As long as the vehicle is held securely before being put into park then there would be no stress placed on the transmission. If you are concerned, say on an extremely steep slope, apply the parking brake and release the foot brake and let the car move to its stationary position and then place the trans in park. Not only will this prevent stressing the trans, but it will also let you know if your parking brake is fully operational. (Disclaimer: keep the foot brake pedal covered in case there is a problem with the park brake.)

mis3

Every time when I move my car out of the garage, I release all brakes and shift to neutral and let the car slide back to the driveway.

This way, I am sure that all the brake systems are not jamming the wheels.

DanielFD

Yes your right. I guess you have really thick handbrake pads if they stop instantly hehe

Tall Paul

Unless your pad material is to the point of minimal thickness and requires replacement, adjustment is the more critical factor. Even 1/16" of pad will hold your vehicle if your adjustments are correct.

DanielFD

I just fount it weird how his car would stop instantly. Even right after I adjust my handbrake cable (really tight) the car still moves a bit when I engage the handbrake on an incline before completely stopping.

Tall Paul

Not really sure why your brake isn't holding your car, whether it is wear in the parts or a malfunction of components, but it should hold once applied.

DanielFD

All the cars I've ever applied the handbrake in all move about 10 cm before actually stopping (on an incline)

mis3

If the car moves a bit, the parking brake is not doing its job. Most likely, the parking pawl has been engaged (you don't want this).