does anybody's parking brake actually hold the car ?
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
I do the following:
car on neutral, foot on brake, apply parking brake, release foot brake and put shifter into P.
I always do this regardless of the incline. You guys notice how you can put the car in P and then put the parking brake on and when you let go it usually rolls back a little?
I dont like how it rolls back, putting pressure on the tranny.
Is there any truth in that the P in the auto is a pin that locks the gears, thereby holding the car in place? I was told that the pin is no thicker in diameter than your thumb; therefore don't try supporting the car with it or else it will bend/break!
car on neutral, foot on brake, apply parking brake, release foot brake and put shifter into P.
I always do this regardless of the incline. You guys notice how you can put the car in P and then put the parking brake on and when you let go it usually rolls back a little?
I dont like how it rolls back, putting pressure on the tranny.
Is there any truth in that the P in the auto is a pin that locks the gears, thereby holding the car in place? I was told that the pin is no thicker in diameter than your thumb; therefore don't try supporting the car with it or else it will bend/break!
I do this everytime. Before I put the car in park, I make sure that the handbrake is holding the car (car doesnt roll in any direction with the selector in neutral).
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
The problem I have on my coupe is...when release the parking brake, it doesnt dis-engage fully. So I need to put my foot under the p-brake lever and push up till it fully disengages.
Its not a big deal, so havent looked at fixing this yet.
Its not a big deal, so havent looked at fixing this yet.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I also do the neutral - parking brake - release brake - put into P thing on my car because I don't like the sound it makes when the auto transmission is holding the car. I don't think it will hurt the car to use "park" though.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I just hang my car on the "Park" pin. I never use the emergency/parking brake. This is quite safe. The only problem with this is if the car gets hit by a moving vehicle the cost of the transmission repair can be prohibitive.
So you guys with good habits - keep it up.
So you guys with good habits - keep it up.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
I just hang my car on the "Park" pin. I never use the emergency/parking brake. This is quite safe. The only problem with this is if the car gets hit by a moving vehicle the cost of the transmission repair can be prohibitive.
So you guys with good habits - keep it up.
So you guys with good habits - keep it up.
But wouldn't insurance cover all damages?
At the speed required to hit the car and move it that much as to damage the transmission via parking brake.. I'd say most C-Classes could be totaled, so I wouldn't be quite worried about just the transmission at that point
I only use the e-brake if I'm parked on a hill, which is rare, and only if I can't let the front tire rest on the sidewalk due to having to turn in/out.
But when I do use the e-brake, I do feel even though I push it down quite far, the e-brake doesn't really hold the car in place, but still rocks forward/backwards slightly less than just putting the shifter in P.
I do feel that just using the brake, then putting the shifter in P, the rocking that ensues makes me feel bad for my car
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Well, cars are totalled a lot more easily in the US than other parts of the world due to low value used.
Remember that I come from a country were approx 65% of vehicles on the road are not insured.
Remember that I come from a country were approx 65% of vehicles on the road are not insured.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
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From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
Very true.
I did not realize to what extent cars cost outside of the US due to the country's import tax until recently. It still amazes me that China imposes a 100% import tax on foreign cars.. The price of a Toyota in China would get you new M3 or C63 in the US... Ridiculous. The cost of an M3 is over 1.1 million HKD. At current trade value: $1 USD = 7.77 HKD.. You do the math
That's well into the US loaded-GT3 territoryNow it makes sense when people come onto this board to sell their cars and ask for such ridiculous prices: It's because that's how much their car is worth in their country.
I love America if not for just the price of cars, the fact that San Francisco has no noticeable humidity
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Well a manual can run away unless you put it in a low gear. It has no gearbox lock. I would use the park brake on a hill.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I just don't like the "clunk" noise the transmission makes when pulled out of park after hanging by the lock pin. I always knew it was perfectly fine. Glad Glyn backed me up on that. I only use the parking brake when on inclines, as well. Would use it more if it were a hand brake because I really hate a foot brake.
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From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
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From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Per the original post on this thread --
My parking brake starts to engage after only a few clicks, and I can get 6-7 clicks on the pedal, but those last few clicks seem extremely tough like I'm stretching the brake cables, and the parking brake doesn't hold extremely well.
I just pulled up the back seat and checked out the mechanism. In the unengaged position there is 1/8-1/4" of play in the yoke, and when I tighten the brakes I noticed that the rear cables only travel maybe 1/4" or so. Is that normal?
Fyi, I did adjust the star wheels on the brake shoes, 8 clicks off of snug. In fact I changed the pads and rotors recently and cleaned out everything with brake cleaner ... however I did not check the cable lever action on the parking brakes when the hubs were off :|
So my question is -- is 1/4" of travel on the rear cables normal, or should it be more? I hate to have to pull the rear hubs off again, but will do it if necessary.
Thanks. John
My parking brake starts to engage after only a few clicks, and I can get 6-7 clicks on the pedal, but those last few clicks seem extremely tough like I'm stretching the brake cables, and the parking brake doesn't hold extremely well.
I just pulled up the back seat and checked out the mechanism. In the unengaged position there is 1/8-1/4" of play in the yoke, and when I tighten the brakes I noticed that the rear cables only travel maybe 1/4" or so. Is that normal?
Fyi, I did adjust the star wheels on the brake shoes, 8 clicks off of snug. In fact I changed the pads and rotors recently and cleaned out everything with brake cleaner ... however I did not check the cable lever action on the parking brakes when the hubs were off :|
So my question is -- is 1/4" of travel on the rear cables normal, or should it be more? I hate to have to pull the rear hubs off again, but will do it if necessary.
Thanks. John
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
My parking brake is not very strong but it does hold the car on a slight incline. That's fine with me. I almost never use mine (I have a 6 speed). I got the habit not to use them when cars had drum rear brakes and the parking brake only actuated one of the shoes which, it was thought, could cause warping of the drum (ok, I'm a fossil). Of course that's not an issue on our cars - or most cars for that matter, but I still have the habit. If I lived in San Francisco, I would kick that habit, obviously.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
With everything adjusted properly these parking brakes should have no trouble holding the car on a steep hill.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I had mine adjusted recently and it holds my car just fine, but the foot brake is the stupidest thing since the column shifter - I HATE IT! Also, something feels loose when I pull the release handle.. I might just start hanging it on the park pin except in extreme situations. The clunk is nasty, though.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Yes, the foot brake seems like a good idea until you actually need to use it. It is nice to have that space between the seats freed up, but what a PITA if you need to use it on an incline with a manny.
Mine holds my car fine as well.
Mine holds my car fine as well.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
Mine holds well, too. Then again, it is also one of the safety inspection requirements in Texas.
Never really paid much attention to the parking brake on any of my automatic equipped cars in the past until my wife's 04 Expedition didn't pass the test a few years ago. The guy said they test it so that the vehicle is in gear with engine around 1500rpms and the parking brake should hold it still.
Never really paid much attention to the parking brake on any of my automatic equipped cars in the past until my wife's 04 Expedition didn't pass the test a few years ago. The guy said they test it so that the vehicle is in gear with engine around 1500rpms and the parking brake should hold it still.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Mine as well unless I engage the pedal much harder than usual. Sometimes I forget and back out of the garage without releasing it and don't even notice until the warning comes on. But to answer the question of "is 1/4 normal" I would say any distance is OK if it holds. If it is adjusted correctly no play in the unengaged position works for me if the shoes don't drag.
