How to park automatic c class in a correct way

[Prajee]

I’m new to the Mercedes. I do have have a 2015 C class automatic. How do I correctly park the car. I noticed that when I stop and turnoff the engine the car itself automatically engage the handbrake and the gear shift in to P. Is this correct ? OR do I need to use the old technique i.e stop the car, brake, put into N, hand brake , brake again and put into P?

Thanks

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You could do what you’re doing but I think the process as expected by the manufacturer would be: Foot brake until stopped, hold foot on brake, select park, engage parking brake, release the foot brake, switch off ignition.

 

[Prajee]

You could do what you’re doing but I think the process as expected by the manufacturer would be: Foot brake until stopped, hold foot on brake, select park, engage parking brake, release the foot brake, switch off ignition.

Thanks for the reply . But I thought the best practice would be parking brake first prior to select the P gear

 

[Chrishazle]

Having previously experienced stuck rear brakes after a (admittedly fairly long) period parked, I only ever use the parking brake if I have to park on a slope, with either of my cars. Routinely I just park, put the transmission in P then switch off. The S204 lives on the driveway that in her area slopes side to side slightly, not fore and aft, and in 10 years of ownership has not given a problem. However, when I have to park the SLK on the driveway, sloping quite well fore and aft, I always park, engage handbrake and then release the foot brake - but she seldom if ever remains there for more than 12 hours!! I did the same for many years with my 968 tiptronic (which the SLK replaced 2 1/2 years ago after 8 1/2 years), again without problem.

 

[Dryce]

Thanks for the reply . But I thought the best practice would be parking brake first prior to select the P gear

The advice I was given in the past was to select P first.

It potentially allows the internal lock (a pawl) to engage in position in the transmission with a little bit of play before you then apply the brake and lock the wheels.

(Noting that if you were parking on a slope chances are you'd be applying the brakes anyway).

 

[BTB 500]

Having previously experienced stuck rear brakes after a (admittedly fairly long) period parked, I only ever use the parking brake if I have to park on a slope, with either of my cars. Routinely I just park, put the transmission in P then switch off. The S204 lives on the driveway that in her area slopes side to side slightly, not fore and aft, and in 10 years of ownership has not given a problem. However, when I have to park the SLK on the driveway, sloping quite well fore and aft, I always park, engage handbrake and then release the foot brake - but she seldom if ever remains there for more than 12 hours!! I did the same for many years with my 968 tiptronic (which the SLK replaced 2 1/2 years ago after 8 1/2 years), again without problem.

You don't have a choice with the W205 - it automatically applies the parking brake.

 

[BTB 500]

From the manual (for my 2019 car, anyway):


Vehicles with automatic transmission:

The electric parking brake is applied if the transmission is in position

and one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

• The engine is switched off.
• The seat belt tongue is not inserted in the seat belt buckle of the driver's seat and the driver's door is opened.

To prevent application: pull the handle of the electric parking brake.

In the following situations, the electric parking brake is also applied:

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is bringing the vehicle to a standstill.
• The HOLD function is keeping the vehicle stationary.
• Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle stationary.

This is the case if one of the following conditions is also fulfilled:

• The engine is switched off.
• The seat belt tongue is not inserted in the seat belt buckle of the driver's seat and the driver's door is opened.
• There is a system malfunction.
• The power supply is insufficient.
• The vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period.

When the electric parking brake is applied, the red

indicator lamp appears in the instrument cluster.

The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks for the reply . But I thought the best practice would be parking brake first prior to select the P gear

You could do it either way providing that you keep your foot on the foot brake throughout to prevent the car from rolling.

As @Dryce suggests, selecting Park before applying the parking brake reduces the likelihood of stresses when the pawl engages in the transmission.

 

[Prajee]

Having previously experienced stuck rear brakes after a (admittedly fairly long) period parked, I only ever use the parking brake if I have to park on a slope, with either of my cars. Routinely I just park, put the transmission in P then switch off. The S204 lives on the driveway that in her area slopes side to side slightly, not fore and aft, and in 10 years of ownership has not given a problem. However, when I have to park the SLK on the driveway, sloping quite well fore and aft, I always park, engage handbrake and then release the foot brake - but she seldom if ever remains there for more than 12 hours!! I did the same for many years with my 968 tiptronic (which the SLK replaced 2 1/2 years ago after 8 1/2 years), again without problem.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Prajee]

Having previously experienced stuck rear brakes after a (admittedly fairly long) period parked, I only ever use the parking brake if I have to park on a slope, with either of my cars. Routinely I just park, put the transmission in P then switch off. The S204 lives on the driveway that in her area slopes side to side slightly, not fore and aft, and in 10 years of ownership has not given a problem. However, when I have to park the SLK on the driveway, sloping quite well fore and aft, I always park, engage handbrake and then release the foot brake - but she seldom if ever remains there for more than 12 hours!! I did the same for many years with my 968 tiptronic (which the SLK replaced 2 1/2 years ago after 8 1/2 years), again without problem.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Prajee]

From the manual (for my 2019 car, anyway):


Vehicles with automatic transmission:

The electric parking brake is applied if the transmission is in position

and one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

• The engine is switched off.
• The seat belt tongue is not inserted in the seat belt buckle of the driver's seat and the driver's door is opened.

To prevent application: pull the handle of the electric parking brake.

In the following situations, the electric parking brake is also applied:

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is bringing the vehicle to a standstill.
• The HOLD function is keeping the vehicle stationary.
• Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle stationary.

This is the case if one of the following conditions is also fulfilled:

• The engine is switched off.
• The seat belt tongue is not inserted in the seat belt buckle of the driver's seat and the driver's door is opened.
• There is a system malfunction.
• The power supply is insufficient.
• The vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period.

When the electric parking brake is applied, the red

indicator lamp appears in the instrument cluster.

The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.

Thanks

 

[guhvies]

I don't follow good advice. I stop, turn the engine off and open the door. The car does the rest.

 

[Germgh0st]

I just stop and turn the engine off. This automatically puts the car into park and applies the parking brake.

 

[Bellow]

Thanks for the reply . But I thought the best practice would be parking brake first prior to select the P gear

Yes, with the brake doing the holding and the P gear as back up. The other way around sees the car leaning on two teeth in the final drive and the oil film between them isn't guaranteed. Throw in vibration from passing traffic and those two teeth will be fretting against each other without protection.