I was told growing up to always use the parking brake, so I always have. This puts any tension that weight may cause at the wheels, not on the transmission and/or the engine mounts. I use my brake by stopping the car, putting into park, applying the parking brake and then release the driving brake. I also slip my car into neutral if I am sitting at a stoplight or drive through for very long as this limits slippage. I have had several MB's and never had any transmission problems even with my 280 up to 450,000 miles. (that is using recommended maintenance too) I would rather have 4500 lbs sitting on easily replaced brake shoes than on a difficult to replace drive-line. The brakes are to stop and hold the car, the engine and transmission are to move it along. Happy Benzing!

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Brian W. Heitman

www.MBCA.org/northtexas

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