Parking Brake
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C300 4 Matic
Parking Brake
I searched the forum but could not find a definitive answer on how to correctly use the parking brake. My C300 4matic is the first time I started using the parking brake and I was unsure what the sequence of action should be.
I know that you press the parking brake first and then put the transmission on "P" but do I let go of brake pedal on my right foot and let it inch forward/backward before I put it on "P"?
And when I'm releasing the parking break, do I release the parking brake first or put the transmission on "D" first?
I had a hard time getting used to using the parking brake and drove off a couple of times with the parking brake still on. How bad is this for the car?
thx for helpin this noob.
I know that you press the parking brake first and then put the transmission on "P" but do I let go of brake pedal on my right foot and let it inch forward/backward before I put it on "P"?
And when I'm releasing the parking break, do I release the parking brake first or put the transmission on "D" first?
I had a hard time getting used to using the parking brake and drove off a couple of times with the parking brake still on. How bad is this for the car?
thx for helpin this noob.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 70
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07 G35 Sedan
It's not hard, if you think about it.
The way I do it:
Parking:
Press and hold brake, put it in Park.
Press parking brake pedal.
Let go of brake.
Leaving:
Press and hold brake, put it in Drive/Reverse.
Release parking brake.
Drive off.
Some of the steps can be switched around. Like if you are on a hill, as long as you're holding the brake, you shouldn't feel any resistance when you shift into D/R after you release the parking brake.
The way I do it:
Parking:
Press and hold brake, put it in Park.
Press parking brake pedal.
Let go of brake.
Leaving:
Press and hold brake, put it in Drive/Reverse.
Release parking brake.
Drive off.
Some of the steps can be switched around. Like if you are on a hill, as long as you're holding the brake, you shouldn't feel any resistance when you shift into D/R after you release the parking brake.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Park and parking brake
<<Automatic's "P" is parking brake already. You don't really need to use the other parking brake if you don't park at sloopy areas.>>
Sloopy. Wasn't he a cartoon character?
The park function in the transmission does not involve the brakes. It is a mechanical action. Picture a square rod dropping into one of many square holes around a cylinder of sorts. This is a VERY loose description.
Works fine but can be broken off if the car is hit when parked and the parking brake is not set and then off she goes for parts unknown.
Just fine in your garage but out in public it's a good idea to use both.
Sloopy. Wasn't he a cartoon character?
The park function in the transmission does not involve the brakes. It is a mechanical action. Picture a square rod dropping into one of many square holes around a cylinder of sorts. This is a VERY loose description.
Works fine but can be broken off if the car is hit when parked and the parking brake is not set and then off she goes for parts unknown.
Just fine in your garage but out in public it's a good idea to use both.
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From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
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C300 4 Matic
It's not hard, if you think about it.
The way I do it:
Parking:
Press and hold brake, put it in Park.
Press parking brake pedal.
Let go of brake.
Leaving:
Press and hold brake, put it in Drive/Reverse.
Release parking brake.
Drive off.
Some of the steps can be switched around. Like if you are on a hill, as long as you're holding the brake, you shouldn't feel any resistance when you shift into D/R after you release the parking brake.
The way I do it:
Parking:
Press and hold brake, put it in Park.
Press parking brake pedal.
Let go of brake.
Leaving:
Press and hold brake, put it in Drive/Reverse.
Release parking brake.
Drive off.
Some of the steps can be switched around. Like if you are on a hill, as long as you're holding the brake, you shouldn't feel any resistance when you shift into D/R after you release the parking brake.
Can anyone clarify?
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07 G35 Sedan
I heard from several people on this forum that you need to put on your parking brake FIRST and then switch to "P" or else the parking brake is not really helping reduce wear and tear on your engine(?)/transmission(?). I believe having the parking brake on after switching to "P" will only serve to prevent it from rolling off on a hill.
Can anyone clarify?
Can anyone clarify?
When you put it in "P" while applying the brakes, the transmission shouldn't move. Then the parking brake holds the car after you let go of the brake. I mean you can do it the way you posted it but I don't think you're getting the whole picture.
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C300 (W204) w/ MM, P1, & 18"amg's
^ The weight of the car is sitting on the tranny... It can bend pins and force you to skip gears, drop gears, or just shred you entire tranny all togeather. Its VERY bad, if you are parking on a hill put the parking brake on... takes two seconds and keeps your tranny new. My father had some tranny problems on his SL500... he is fileing a lemon law so we get a new 08 SL500... or the cash back for an Audi R8 (trying to talk him into it)
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
Last edited by PoaMike; Feb 8, 2008 at 08:49 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 70
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07 G35 Sedan
^ The weight of the car is sitting on the tranny... It can bend pins and force you to skip gears, drop gears, or just shred you entire tranny all togeather. Its VERY bad, if you are parking on a hill put the parking brake on... takes two seconds and keeps your tranny new. My father had some tranny problems on his SL500... he is fileing a lemon law so we get a new 08 SL500... or the cash back for an Audi R8 (trying to talk him into it)
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
I don't know what ^ was that for.
I can't figure out if you're against me or with me. 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
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From: New York City
W212 2011 E-350 4Matic
what I do is:
brake to a stop
set the gear to P
use left foot for PB
let go of the brake.
turn ignition off
open/close the door. press the lock button, the fog lamp blimps twice mirror folds.
hope thats the right way if there really is a difference.
brake to a stop
set the gear to P
use left foot for PB
let go of the brake.
turn ignition off
open/close the door. press the lock button, the fog lamp blimps twice mirror folds.
hope thats the right way if there really is a difference.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
^ The weight of the car is sitting on the tranny... It can bend pins and force you to skip gears, drop gears, or just shred you entire tranny all togeather. Its VERY bad, if you are parking on a hill put the parking brake on... takes two seconds and keeps your tranny new. My father had some tranny problems on his SL500... he is fileing a lemon law so we get a new 08 SL500... or the cash back for an Audi R8 (trying to talk him into it)
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
P.S. to futher prove my point, when you put your car in 'P' and you let go of the brake you feel the car shift back? thats the car shifting back on your tanny... Now its under constant strain on JUST the tranny... Parking break will hold that weight and its designed for that alone.
