mikepacheco

Have any of you had any problems with the E Brake ?, Several times i had pulled the switch got out turned around and my car started rolling. I live in SF on a 09% Grade (Hill). Pretty Scary, I know you need to push the brake pedal after pulling switch, I'm almost positive i did, has anyone else had a problem?

MikeNSF

T-Z06-J

It happened to me a couple times in my M7 Z51.
You have to make sure it is engaged before you leae the car. Pulling the Ebrake and leaving the car before it engages seems to interrupt the sequence.

jdmdohcpower

Did you see my post in the spring where I didn't realize and went in the house. It must have rolled back into the garage door so when I opened it I cost myself 2600 worth of damage as it sawed up the diffuser, bumper, and rear wing. Won't make that mistake twice.

mikepacheco

I didn't see that post, ouch, mine 1st experience wasn't quite that bad, did you ever see an idiot climbing in the window with the car rolling down the hill? My neighbors did.....haha... I saw a car in front of me, I steered it to the right, then I saw a pickup in front of me, I kept turning to the right, missed the car and the truck. you can pull the E brake all night long but it won't engage until you step on the petal, my hand just barely hit the brake and the car stopped. I got out swore a couple of words then figured out that i was blessed. Or Very Lucky.. !!

The Second time it rolled back into my garage about 3 feel, i stood there letting it warm up and I was cleaning the windows. I looked around to see if anyone noticed... nope, lucky again...I need a wheel chock....

MikeNSF with Lots of Hills..

charliebrown266

It happened to me a month ago! car rolled into garage door,damaged the front bumper and broke the carbon splitter in 2 spots! so i'm guessing it will be 2k plus, should send the bill to GM Now i make sure i also leave in gear!!!

ElCid79

I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS leave mine in gear for this very reason. Back many years ago, I had an ebrake cable fail, and it somehow popped out of gear. I have no idea how it happened, but I looked out my window and my buddies car was rolling down the street without me! Went over a hill into my neighbors driveway and just kinda stopped in their grass.

In retrospect it is kinda funny..

ChevyChad

Why in the world would you guys not put the car in gear when it is parked and turned off? Crazy crap like this can happen as some of you are finding out. Even with a manual e-brake, I ALWAYS leave my manual cars in gear when turned off. This could cause a major accident if the ebrake fails for any reason.

OnPoint

I agree. Set the brake, put it in reverse and worry no more.

ElCid79

Why reverse? I generally do 1st gear. With that said, I have heard a lot of people say 1st gear if your on an incline, reverse if on a decline.

ChevyChad

Really doesnt matter if its first or reverse (or even sixth, or whatever). The trans will provide a mechanical stop from the wheels spinning. Technically, if you wanted to provide the greatest amount of resistance, you should put it in the gear with lowest ratio.. But really, any gear will work.

OnPoint

I think either works. I do reverse out of habit, which was reinforced by early C6 vettes which had to be put in reverse to avoid battery drain (which was a weird quirk fixed on later C6s).

ElCid79

Ah..

phantasms

I wasn't a park in gear kind of guy....till the E E brake.

george vee

Happens to other makes of cars too, can't trust the Ebrake alone you should always put it in gear.

I could say another reason I like my A8...but I'm not going there

Bill Dearborn

The main reason is that reverse gear has a lower gear ratio than first gear so it holds better.

I have been parking my standard transmission cars in reverse since 1965. My 69 and 86 Vettes had to be in reverse for the steering column lock to engage and release the ignition key.

Bill

DLC7

If I got this right....you were head down, feet up, and still saved it. This is awesome(ness).

JoesC5

It's not the eBrake that is the problem, but the small drum brakes that are located in each of the rear brake rotors. They just don't hold much, whether it is actuated by an eBrake or is manually operated, like in the C5 and C6.

I can pull up the manual lever on my C6 till I can't pull anymore, and the car will roll if it's not in gear. Just depends on how steep the grade is.

Jpjr2016

The E-Brake is regulated like everything else and can in fact hold the car in normal conditions or there is a problem.

I really had no idea people left their cars in neutral. The E brake is for emergencies; the trans is what keeps the wheels from moving. Same for motorcycles.

mikepacheco

I didn't feel very awesome at the time, I felt really lucky. I set the brake and let the car warm up. I guess I'd better not in the future..

MikeNSF

Jpjr2016

Yep, only safe on level surface if you will be out of the car. That said, 9 of 10 e brakes should hold the car no problem. Have yours inspected!