How stupid was this?
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Newcastle, UK
I discovered a colleagues car at work once that had unknown to him completely rolled back out of its parking space. He had left it in neutral and when his rear brakes had cooled down the pressure on the parking brake must have reduced and gravity did the rest.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
That one's pretty funny 
Yes I've done the same thing and had no issues. No need totest or worry about the brakes since the hand brake is a small drum unit inside of the rear rotors. Simply put, the parking brake is a seperate mechanical system from your regular rear brakes, only sharing the rear rotor. At least that's the setup on my Z and I thing it's the same for the coupe and vert C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 6
From: Prince George VA
I drove about 6 miles down the insterstate a few weeks ago with mine halfway up. It was a bad feeling turning off and entering a gas station to park and realize it was already up... It doesnt hold the car from going forward anymore when it is up but it holds the car from rolling back. Looks like I need to adjust it.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
Use that parking brake. I used to not and one day I got out and starting walking away and the damn thing popped out of gear and started rolling down the parking lot. I almost crapped my pants. Luckily it was a slow roll and I was able to get it unlocked and get into it before it rolled too far.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Huntington Beach / Fountain Valley California
Pulled out of a gas station and drove for about 3 or 5 miles with the parking brake still on. Did not even notice it until I started hearing a thumping noise and looked at the gages and saw the red parking brake light on. Let the brake off and kept driving and everything seems o k. After driving another 2 or 3 miles, got out and looked and sniffed around the wheels and things seem o k. Has anyone else done this and do you think there was any damage done? Thanks Bill
.... little to no damage. But then again, this parking brake system is an inferior system anyways.The parking brake is a drum type brake on the back side of the rear rotors. It will NOT have any effect on normal braking. I panicked and thought I would be unsafe driving home when this happened. But after doing my own brake job, I now know differently.
Don't worry. This parking brake system never works anyways so no loss.
When you do your own brake job, just adjust the parking brakes at that time.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Eureka California
I had this same brain fart right after installing new rotors, pads and park brake shoes. Drove it a long, long way before I realized what I'd done. Turned the silver drums blue! I haven't used the damned thing since then, other than to make sure it still worked. I'm damn near deaf so I didn't hear anything.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 14
From: CT
Most of us.especialy m6 owners, have probably done this,even if they dont admit to it. I have, more then once, but usually only a very short distance. Im more aware of it now,but as mentioned the parking brakes are not the greatest setup on the c5. Mine holds ok, but not as good as others ive had.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
You must have had the handbrake not fully engaged, otherwise you would have noticed the odd resistance when trying to move. So nothing to worry about.
I always park my car in gear and with the handbrake engaged. When I get back in the car, I don't even think about what needs to be moved/disengaged to start driving... it's all instinctive now.
I always park my car in gear and with the handbrake engaged. When I get back in the car, I don't even think about what needs to be moved/disengaged to start driving... it's all instinctive now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I use mine pretty much every time I park my C5. I thought the common rule of thumb was that by engaging the parking brake whenever the car is parked, it keeps the parking brake correctly calibrated, etc.
Is this true or another Corvette urban legend? Any real need to use it when it's parked in the garage or any other flat surface? I live in Florida and we don't have too many hills.
Is this true or another Corvette urban legend? Any real need to use it when it's parked in the garage or any other flat surface? I live in Florida and we don't have too many hills.
