Setting the brake is a habit with me. Many manuals which often required it, and I "hate" putting an automatic in gear that's been allowed to roll back when the brake wasn't set...not a nice sound as it clunks into gear. Haven't tried to learn how it works in the three years I've owned a Land Rover, but was told that parking brake doesn't actually engage the brakes, rather somehow locks the transmission. Need to look into this someday to see if that's true.

Some trucks have a driveshaft brake, mounted to the back end of the tranny, instead of using the rear service brakes as the parking brake. Only thing is I've been told that these really only serve as a parking brake; it's enough to keep the truck from rolling but doesn't do a very good job of slowing the truck down.

Maybe this is what your Land Rover has? Just a thought...

Not sure Warden. The other mechanic whose house I paid for and whose children I put through college (i.e., my LR mechanic), told me to NEVER use the hand brake in the Rover as a means to stop. Said it would do major damage to the transmission. Now, if it came down to that or hitting a cement truck, I guess I'd just have to risk the tranny damage. BTW, the first mechanic for whom I should have my name on his mortgage is my MB mechanic. Between the two, my own son is destined to attend community college. Reminds me of a corvette I saw this week with the license plate "NW IM BRK". Too many cars, so little time... :p

I only use my e-brake when I am working under my car( I love the added safety). I live in Miami,FL , it is basically a flatland.

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1987 mercedes 300E
1995 e320 conversion(hated the 300e grill)
HID/Xenon (D2S)
Keyless Entry
Monochromatic Paint (Custom Blue)
Smoked Tails
Flat Badged (front)
Debadged (rear)
custom "carbon fiber" console
18 inch HP EVO rims
Sold! Now I drive a Monte Carlo SS
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../352975_67.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../748335_24.jpg

I always use the parking brake when driving a standard trans or when working on the car. As for any other time, I really don't see the reason living in the mountains of Illinois

I just push it down and use it as a foot rest. Since the later model cars have a foot rest, and I dont, I just push the pedal down and use it for my foot on long drives.

Na Im kidding. Most of the time its set when im on anything that isnt level. And I do adjust mine so that I can have it down one click and be tight.

Anyway,

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I use it mainly because the car gets bounced around by the morons who can't parallel park here without bumping. Thank god I don't have a painted bumper.

If I am driving a car with a anual transmission, then of course I set it, but (on a car with an automatic transmission) I always set it when I am on a steep hill.
Need another option in the poll, I could have voted on two of them.
Thanks
Tim

Tim, I thought you said that you didn't know how to drive a manual transmission? I have known you for a long time and never knew you learned how to. Must have learned earlier today or something............
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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