Use parking brake during winter, or not?

[Vronsky]

Fella's,
I'm not sure whether to use my parking brake during the winter, or not.
Using the parking brake when it freezes can warp the rotors, and damage the pads. The downside of not using the parking brake, and simply parking it with the gear lever in P position (auto) is that the auto gearbox can get damaged when it gets hit in front or rear by another, parking car.

Any advice?

[Jim H]

Originally Posted by Vronsky

...Using the parking brake when it freezes can warp the rotors, and damage the pads...

I have never heard of this. How does this happen?

..The downside of not using the parking brake, and simply parking it with the gear lever in P position (auto) is that the auto gearbox can get damaged when it gets hit in front or rear by another, parking car.

I understand the parking brake is to prevent the car from rolling from any reason.

I know that the parking brake system may corrode in place if not used, so when you finally do apply the brake it will no longer release.

I believe the Owner's Manual recommends that you apply the parking brake each time you park.

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by Jim H

I have never heard of this. How does this happen?

I understand the parking brake is to prevent the car from rolling from any reason.

I know that the parking brake system may corrode in place if not used, so when you finally do apply the brake it will no longer release.

I believe the Owner's Manual recommends that you apply the parking brake each time you park.

Ice....it gets slush and water on it...then when it cools off it freezes in the engaged position.....and its very common when someone uses it in the winter (below freezing temps)

[Jim H]

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Ice....it gets slush and water on it...then when it cools off it freezes in the engaged position.....and its very common when someone uses it in the winter (below freezing temps)

This may happen, but it does not explain how this will "warp the rotors warp and damage the pads"

[t walgamuth]

will it warp anything. the freezing thing is possible though. i recommend using it year round.

always apply firmly so you dont drive off with it on by accident.

tom w

[Vronsky]

It's happened on my W124: had to replace two rotors.
On my W210, the pads got stuck.

Any thoughts on possible damage to the auto box when the car gets it with parking brake not engaged and lever in 'P'??

Thanks!!

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by Jim H

This may happen, but it does not explain how this will "warp the rotors warp and damage the pads"

This is why...the E-brakes do not release and get the rotors very hot, whenever you overheat a rotor to that extent warping is pretty easy...though I will admit it would more easily warp the rotors on the more common type or rear disk brakes thant the Benz mini-drum brake style e-brakes.

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by Vronsky

It's happened on my W124: had to replace two rotors.
On my W210, the pads got stuck.

Any thoughts on possible damage to the auto box when the car gets it with parking brake not engaged and lever in 'P'??

Thanks!!

I think your car would sustain substantial impact damage first...remember your wheels will skid at a certain point....thats a real low point if the area you park is on snow or ice or it there is any sand on the pavement for traction like they do around here.

[pastmaster]

Originally Posted by Vronsky

Fella's,
I'm not sure whether to use my parking brake during the winter, or not.
Using the parking brake when it freezes can warp the rotors, and damage the pads. The downside of not using the parking brake, and simply parking it with the gear lever in P position (auto) is that the auto gearbox can get damaged when it gets hit in front or rear by another, parking car.

Any advice?

Vronsky,

My experience with Classic Cars and Aircraft; I would advise that you NOT use the parking brake for long periods of inactivity and also lock the clutch pedal in the DOWN position. They have locked solid during storage in Michigan, in an enclosed, guarded building.

I advise you BLOCK the wheels, with chocks, like you would for aircraft. It will protect your transmission better also. In this regard, I would put an automatic in neutral, so if you are hit it won't break the parking pawl and cause other damages.

Manual transmissions will have similar problems. I had this happen to a 1919 Cadillac Touring Car, where the multi-disc dry clutch, seized to the flywheel. I had to change the clutch after freeing it by putting the front bumper against a brick building. The transmission wouldn't shift without lots of grinding because the plates were hangin up. Some grinding is normal without synchros. I don't think were invented yet, in 1919! It does happen.

Block the wheels, for your peace of mind.

[t walgamuth]

storage for the winter?

i just assumed parking and using daily.

storage is a different animal.

but i still dont see how parking with the park brake on can warp rotors. bones had it when he said it would be possible if the car is driven with the brake on. although i minimize this possibility. and i dont see how pads could stick either. they are unrelated to the parking brake.

tom w

[kramlavud]

So let's think about the idea that water on the brake pads can freeze and cause the rotors to warp. Ok, but it will freeze after the car is parked and the pads have retracted from their contact with the rotors. So how does this attribute to warping the rotors? On the other hand, let's say the pads don't pull away from the rotors after releasing the brake pedal, and the water freezes them together. I would think that long before the rotors are HOT enough to warp, the ice would be WARM enough to melt. So how does this attribute to warping the rotors? It is a mystery.
regards,
Mark

[manny]

Do you really believe that car manufacturers are THAT stupid & not know how to design/build a parking brake, that could only be used in the " nice " weather?
Come on.....I use my parking brake 12 months of every year.
If anything is sticking, you had better get the problem looked at.

[waybomb]

After having a parking brake sieze on me about 25 years ago because I never exercised it, I use the parking brakes on all my cars every time I park. Knock on wood - no more parking brake problems in the last 25 years. Knock on wood.