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I don't have to brake to start, but I have to brake to shift out of Park.
As for applying the park brake yourself before you shut the car off, you shouldn't need to. The park brake applies automatically when you remove the key. You can prevent the automatic park brake by pushing down on the brake handle on the console when you remove the key; you'll hear one ding, and the "BRAKE" light on the dash will not illuminate like it does if you allow the brake to set automatically.
I can't explain not starting unless you press the brake, but manually setting the park brake before shutting off might be confusing the system. Again, unless you prevent it, the park brake sets automatically when you remove the key; you don't have to manually apply it.
When you remove the key, look for the "BRAKE" light to illuminate inside the tach. You might also hear the motor engaging the park brake at the back of the car; the motor is at the differential housing.
When you get back in the car, you hold the brake pedal to shift out of Park, and the park brake should release automatically. You should never have to manually apply or release the park brake. You can apply it manually, and you can apply it while the car is moving as an emergency brake, but for normal operation, it's completely hands-off.
Hi woofshee
I attach the relvevant page from the drivers manual and it would appear to say something different.
On the righthand column second paragraph it specifically says to apply the parkbrake and in the final paragraph it details a gearshift interlock system which neccesitates the application of the brake pedal.
Wfooshee's description is accurate.
Whilst you can apply the parkbrake as they say, it's not necessary and applies automatically anyway.
The final paragraph is only to do with the footbrake, as with all automatics.
Anyway, unless yours is faulty, try it yourself. You will get Wfooshee's result.
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Rant: I don't even like the EPB operating every time, given the difficulty of replacement. I never use the park brake on other automatics, unless on a steep hill. However my Mercedes is all automatic, lazy me doesn't even put that in Park coz opening the door will do it anyway as well as the EPB. Of course, I have to remember which car I'm in!
Last edited by ChrisMills; Jun 17, 2022 at 10:22 AM.
Hi woofshee
I attach the relvevant page from the drivers manual and it would appear to say something different.
On the righthand column second paragraph it specifically says to apply the parkbrake and in the final paragraph it details a gearshift interlock system which neccesitates the application of the brake pedal.
Please can you clarify. Thanks
Nothing on that page mentions that removing the key will trigger the parking brake, but that's what happens, unless you hold the parking brake handle down. That second paragraph should not say "Apply the park brake," as there is no need to do so manually. The the 4th paragraph should say the shifter will be locked in Park and the parking brake will be applied when you remove the key. Also the use of the brake pedal has nothing to do with the parking brake or with starting the car; you have to press the brake to move the shifter out of park. Shifting out of Park releases the parking brake.
Last edited by wfooshee; Jun 17, 2022 at 03:37 PM.