Using emergency brake
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Cave Creek AZ
Using emergency brake
I took delivery of my 1st Vette on New Yrs eve. Crystal Red, MN6, chrome wheels, 3LT, Tit/ebony 2 tone int, dual mode exhaust. The 35 yr wait has been worth it. 
Thank you to the forum for all of the information I've gotten over the last 2 yrs to plan my purchase.
My question has to do with using the emergency brake. My good friend who has had several high performance BMW's (he's still my friend anyway) says not to use the e-brake routinely if parked on a level surface, just leave it in gear. He says frequent use of the e-brake will warp the brakes. I need to use it though to activate some features like the automatic seat movement. Any truth to what he says?
Thank you to the forum for all of the information I've gotten over the last 2 yrs to plan my purchase.My question has to do with using the emergency brake. My good friend who has had several high performance BMW's (he's still my friend anyway) says not to use the e-brake routinely if parked on a level surface, just leave it in gear. He says frequent use of the e-brake will warp the brakes. I need to use it though to activate some features like the automatic seat movement. Any truth to what he says?
MONARTOR
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: What I know, is dwarfed by what I pretend to know
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
only good thing I've found for the ebrake is to hang my hat on while driving with the top off.. IF Ihad a M6 I would just leave it in gear
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Irmo South Carolina
I'm no expert in this area, but this caught my attention because of an experience that I had. A couple of weeks ago I parked on a level surface, but decided to pull the e-brake anyway. When I came back I couldn't get the darn thing to release. It took me about 5 minutes to finally get it to release. I thought I was going to have to call someone for help or some kind of towing. I am kind of nervous now, and I don't use it at all, unless on a steep incline.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,276
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From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
bs - suggest you continue use it as necessary. There have been some episodes of people putting their cars in storage w/E brake engaged and after a loooong period of time, having issues when they go to release the break because of moderate corrosion - but even that depends on where you live, type of storage facility, etc. Just be safe, hate to see your car end up rolling down some hill over nothing. 
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
The C6 parking brake is like a traditional drum brake with shoes and IMO with normal usage would not cause warping of the drums or the disc brake rotors. Excessive heat causes rotors to warp (or driving hot brakes through cold water). Maybe if the parking brake isn't adjusted properly...if it's dragging or if you drove around with your e-brake on it could cause problem. I once heard a guy at the track saying you shouldn't set the e-brake immediately after running hot laps but again, I wouldn't think setting your e-brake in normal usage would cause the 'brakes' to warp.
I'll continue to use my parking brake as necessary.
I'll continue to use my parking brake as necessary.
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I have gotten in the habit of always using my emergency brake and have never experienced a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
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Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Anyone that came out of a C5 probably got out of the habit of using the emergency brake as they were notoriously unreliable. 
I always park my C6 in gear with the brake on. Here is a look at the C6 brake assembly. You will not warp your rotors using it.
Here is the C5 which is based on the same system.
I always park my C6 in gear with the brake on. Here is a look at the C6 brake assembly. You will not warp your rotors using it. Here is the C5 which is based on the same system.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 877
Likes: 142
From: Little Egypt, USA
The more you use an E brake the less chance of it sticking, not releasing etc. Many prob occur when a driver only puts it on once or twice a year and there is corrosion in the system. Typically people with automatics have the most problems since they never use them. Using it frequently reduces the chances of having a problem but if you are on a level surface at home it isn't necessary. If you park in a dry garage and don't drive in the snow/salt you would likely never have corrosion anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 80
From: Florida
I don't use my Park Brake everytime I park, especially if I'm on a level surface or parked in my garage. If I'm on any type of grade I will use it.
With an auto tranny, if your parking on a steep grade it's important to set the P Brake first then shift into Park. This will help prevent Torque Lock. Been there, done that.
~AL~
With an auto tranny, if your parking on a steep grade it's important to set the P Brake first then shift into Park. This will help prevent Torque Lock. Been there, done that.
~AL~
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
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From: Longview Texas
I use mine every time I park EXCEPT when it's wet and below freezing. I couldn't get to work one morning because I'd gone through a parking lot dip full of water one evening and the next morning the emergency brake mechanism was frozen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
I always use the ebrake on my C6 and have never had an issue.
When I first picked up my C4 I could not get the ebrake off, it just flopped around. Fortunately someone was around that knew that you had to ratchet the brake handle.
When I first picked up my C4 I could not get the ebrake off, it just flopped around. Fortunately someone was around that knew that you had to ratchet the brake handle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
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From: Buena Park CA
I had the same problem with my 91 Camaro a long time ago. I thought it would never release until finally minutes later. After that, I never use the e-brake unless parking on a hill.....and in my opinion, that is what it's for; an emergency, not a daily usage. By the way, my buddy that owns a 2006 M5 BMW said the same thing; emergency only.
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I use the emergency brake on my '07 M6 convertible every day. While my driveway is on a slight angle, I use it even when parking on a level surface. The only time I do NOT use it is when I store the car for the winter - the car is left in neutral with the e-brake off.
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From: Toronto, Canada
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,560
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From: La Quinta CA
In order to shut down the electrical system in my 2005 Z51 MN6 setting the emergency brake is a must. I have been doing this for 41,000 miles and haven't experienced any negative experiences.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
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From: San Clemente CA
Anyone that came out of a C5 probably got out of the habit of using the emergency brake as they were notoriously unreliable. I always park my C6 in gear with the brake on. Here is a look at the C6 brake assembly. You will not warp your rotors using it.
Here is the C5 which is based on the same system.
I always park my C6 in gear with the brake on. Here is a look at the C6 brake assembly. You will not warp your rotors using it. Here is the C5 which is based on the same system.
