Warning!! Please use handbrake in snow/ice

[230K]

Hi

This is a bit of advice to all of us that very seldom use anything other than Park when we leave our cars. Park really only locks one rear wheel (because of the differential) and this can cause problems in ice.
I know i could be stating what is obvious to some people but many will not know.

Park only locks 1 wheel, handbrake/service brake holds 2 wheels.

I knew this but only after being able to push the wifes car down the driveway this morning whilst in Park did it bring it home to me. 3 wheels were turning 1 was locked.
Hope it helps somebody.

230k

 

[stevesey]

Is that correct? Propshaft is locked and the diff is a physical gear linkage between the two half shafts, so try and rotate one wheel (when stationary) and the diff will try and move the other in the oppoiste direction.

 

[Mactech]

You may find there is a differetial of a pinion on this....

I don't think my wife knows where the parking brake is on the ML (we are in Norfolk), how many wheels are getting locked when she leaves this in 'Park'

 

[camerafodder]

You may find there is a differetial of a pinion on this....

Now that's 'a-pawling'

 

[Mactech]

Now that's 'a-pawling'

Ouch! You've just exhausted my cognitive powers...

 

[219]

When I parked my Merc on an icy slope recently (steep driveway) I not only put it in Park but also firmly pulled on the handbrake - only when I took my foot off the footbrake the car started to slide down the slope , obviously the two rear wheels being insufficient to keep it there .

A similar thing happened a couple of nights later whn parked on the gentle slope outside the in-laws - parked about a foot behind brother-in-law's Volvo and car seemed fine when I left it , but on return a couple of hours later bumpers were touching .

My handbrake is in A1 condition , having rebuilt the brakes in the summer with new disc/drum units plus new pads and shoes , all adjusted up to perfection and will hold the car on a downhill slope at lights when in drive - besides car had passed MOT only two days before the first 'incident' .

 

[219]

Park only locks 1 wheel, handbrake/service brake holds 2 wheels.

The handbrake acts on the two rear wheels ; the service brake ( footbrake ) operates on all four , but is released as soon as you take your foot off the pedal .

 

[230K]

The handbrake acts on the two rear wheels ; the service brake ( footbrake ) operates on all four , but is released as soon as you take your foot off the pedal .

Whoops, i thought service brake was a fancy name for a handbrake, but i am wrong soz. (Did this to stop someone saying there is no handbrake in most Mercedes its a footbrake )

Anyway main point of this thread is to inform & remind people that only one wheels holds when in Park and this can often not be enough in slippery/icy conditions so please use the foot/hand operated parking brake too.

Thanks,

230K

 

[camerafodder]

Ouch! You've just exhausted my cognitive powers...

Nice ...I guess that's what happens when you start thinking outside the box...:bannana:

 

[trapperjohn]

Looks like another thread gearing up to go places.

 

[camerafodder]

Come on then lets give it some stick

 

[trapperjohn]

Other members may not automatically think we are doing a good thing. They may want to take us down a peg or two. We may end up driving the thread our selves.

 

[Mactech]

Nice ...I guess that's what happens when you start thinking outside the box...:bannana:

Pulling this together with another thread on here.....Motorsport transmission manufacturers Xtrac have and great reg. on their Mercedes Sprinter delivery van...

RAT10S

 

[camerafodder]

OK 10:1 that someone locks this before we get chance to pad it out any further

 

[stevesey]

Anyone else have the spline to point out that 230K has made a slip up and there is a limited amount of truth in his post, or are you going to jointly to prop up his point.

 

[camerafodder]

Anyone else have the spline to point out that 230K has made a slip up and there is a limited amount of truth in his post, or are you going to jointly to prop up his point.

Not sure mate, I think everyone is worried about the potential backlash from this

 

[lynall]

Sounds a bit to much like ep to me maybe needs a crown to top it off?



Lynall

 

[Mactech]

What planet gear are you guys on?

 

[camerafodder]

What planet gear are you guys on?

Not sure but we're all having a helical good time!

 

[renault12ts]

Shift this thread...its following the same old pattern...