W204 - Enough to park using P parking prawl?

[erickh]

On a day to day basis, is it enough to park using the parking prawl without the parking brake applied?

I read in a few forums, mix messages from various owners.
My driveway is apprx. 10% slope down, nothing too steep.

Reason for asking is, I've been using the parking brakes for years till recently I found out that the cables have been stretched and no rooms for any more adjustments.

Car is > 8 years old.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[kianok]

Probably get flamed but I never use the parking brake until the other day, just to check it still worked.

 

[markjay]

You are risking a very expensive repair...... in the P position a small metal pin is protruding into the corresponding hole in a ring around the shafts to lock it in place. If someone nudges your car from the rear or front while trying to park, a big enough jolt will brake the locking pin. And that's a very expensive transmission repair...

And, as kianok said, regular use of the parking brake will ensure it doesn't seize or rust.

 

[markjay]

That said... many years ago I was driving a 70s Opel Record 1700 with the 3-speed automatic transmission. The thing had a column shift that was not easy to maneuver. At some point I managed to accidentally engage P while driving at ~20 mph. The car came to a screeching halt as if I slammed the brakes. It drove fine after that.... but no idea for how long (it wasn't my car...). But I wouldn't try that on a modern car.....

 

[erickh]

You are risking a very expensive repair...... in the P position a small metal pin is protruding into the corresponding hole in a ring around the shafts to lock it in place. If someone nudges your car from the rear or front while trying to park, a big enough jolt will brake the locking pin. And that's a very expensive transmission repair...

And, as kianok said, regular use of the parking brake will ensure it doesn't seize or rust.

I understand what you mean.
I will use the parking brake occasionally. Main aim is to prolong the life of the parking brake system.

But obviously if that intention will cause more £ spent because of transmission repair then not the best idea.

 

[Stratman]

Without the parking brake this small piece of metal is all that's holding your car. The contact area is less than one square centimetre.

 

[markjay]

I understand what you mean.
I will use the parking brake occasionally. Main aim is to prolong the life of the parking brake system.

But obviously if that intention will cause more £ spent because of transmission repair then not the best idea.

It depends on the circumstances. If you park on flat ground and it's your private drive then there's no risk of anyone nudging your car. Even when parking on the street, mostly you get a scrape on the bumper, getting a serious jolt from another car is rare.

But in any event not using the parking break simply poses a risk (even if a remote one) with no obvious benefits. I've never had the parking brake fail on any car I owned, at most the cable needed adjusting.

 

[erickh]

It depends on the circumstances. If you park on flat ground and it's your private drive then there's no risk of anyone nudging your car. Even when parking on the street, mostly you get a scrape on the bumper, getting a serious jolt from another car is rare.

But in any event not using the parking break simply poses a risk (even if a remote one) with no obvious benefits. I've never had the parking brake fail on any car I owned, at most the cable needed adjusting.

went to the garage the other day for engine mount replacement and mentioned about the cable. unfortunately no more room to adjust.
i believe (could be wrong) the the system will need to be replaced.

 

[Smart320]

So have the cable (S ) replaced, it’s an MOT fail anyway if the parking brake is not in working order

 

[Petrol Pete]

The car is 8 years old and the handbrake cable has stretched beyond adjustment ? Does not sound right to me . have the shoes and mechanism inside the drum on the rear disc been inspected ?

 

[erickh]

The car is 8 years old and the handbrake cable has stretched beyond adjustment ? Does not sound right to me . have the shoes and mechanism inside the drum on the rear disc been inspected ?

will bring it in to be checked.

 

[erickh]

So have the cable (S ) replaced, it’s an MOT fail anyway if the parking brake is not in working order

ah okay. thought it was one of the criteria that they will check parking brake

 

[Markw70]

I must admit I use both, gearbox in P and foot operated parking brake at all times. I would definitely agree about using the parking brake regularly I think the last owner didn’t use the foot operated park brake much on mine it was a little sticky and it wouldn’t always release reliably, but it seems after a couple of months of constant use it now releases every time, especially important it’s working come MOT time.

 

[whitenemesis]

The only time not to use the parking brake is in winter when it might freeze on.

 

[erickh]

I must admit I use both, gearbox in P and foot operated parking brake at all times. I would definitely agree about using the parking brake regularly I think the last owner didn’t use the foot operated park brake much on mine it was a little sticky and it wouldn’t always release reliably, but it seems after a couple of months of constant use it now releases every time, especially important it’s working come MOT time.

I must admit I use both, gearbox in P and foot operated parking brake at all times. I would definitely agree about using the parking brake regularly I think the last owner didn’t use the foot operated park brake much on mine it was a little sticky and it wouldn’t always release reliably, but it seems after a couple of months of constant use it now releases every time, especially important it’s working come MOT time.

Indeed. MOT is due soon.

Had a look at the guidelines.

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 1. Brakes - Guidance - GOV.UK

Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

 

[Deleted member 159894]

Don’t modern cars have an electronic brake?

 

[erickh]

Don’t modern cars have an electronic brake?

ahem... yes the models (W205) after mine.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

ahem... yes the models (W205) after mine.

Just buy an up to date car then.

 

[erickh]

that would be nice if it's that easy.

 

[Martin 1]

The big problem with not using the parking brake, is that you'll forget about it, and come MOT time it won't work. The method of adjusting the parking brake, is to adjust the shoes through the brake backing plate, or a hole in the face of the drum, NOT by adjusting the cables. You'll need to get the cables slackened off to allow proper adjustment.