W204 - Enough to park using P parking prawl?

[EmilysDad]

I only used the parking break on an incline,

or you might break the brake ....

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I have the same problem with a slope on the drive . I pull on to the drive ,, then i use the foot brake to hold the car there . with selector set in to park .Then i go to the front of te car and use a wooden tapered block to wedge under the front wheel .Then get back in put the selector in to nutral release the foot brake roll till its on the block, then i put the selector in to park . I never leave foot brake on for any length of time.BAut for out and about i have to use it .Also never put selector in to park on the move to stop the car. It will damage the pawl in the box if you do.

 

[EmilysDad]

.Also never put selector in to park on the move to stop the car. It will damage the pawl in the box if you do.

Autos with the column stalk won't let you put it park while driving ..... probably a good idea too as I was doing about 50 when I once tried I confused the transmission selector with the screen wash.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Column stalks are electric, and it over rides the request to engage park when on the move .

 

[LostKiwi]

My 210 has 166k on the clock. I always park with the parking brake. The parking brake engages firmly just 3 clicks down. No sign of stretched cables and that's on a 20 year old car.

As mentioned adjust the parking brake shoes correctly, then adjust the cable if necessary.

Parking on the parking pawl in the gearbox is very risky in icy or snowy conditions. If one wheel slips on the ice the whole car will move.

 

[Blobcat]

My 210 has 166k on the clock. I always park with the parking brake. The parking brake engages firmly just 3 clicks down. No sign of stretched cables and that's on a 20 year old car.

As mentioned adjust the parking brake shoes correctly, then adjust the cable if necessary.

Parking on the parking pawl in the gearbox is very risky in icy or snowy conditions. If one wheel slips on the ice the whole car will move.

Winter tyres...

 

[LostKiwi]

Winter tyres...

Still not as secure as using the parking brake.
Transmission brakes (which is what the Park pawl effectively is) only operate on one wheel unless the vehicle has a locked or limited slip differential.

 

[Blobcat]

Still not as secure as using the parking brake.
Transmission brakes (which is what the Park pawl effectively is) only operate on one wheel unless the vehicle has a locked or limited slip differential.

Very important whilst jacking up a rear wheel, I can't say as I've ever had one of mine slide off down the street with all 4 on the floor - even in the great grim oop north

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Once you have broken one your sure not to do it again ..I damged the parking pawl on one my cars , and at the time it went with a such a bang because the car was still on the move ..After that i dont ever use it untill i have stopped ..

 

[LostKiwi]

Very important whilst jacking up a rear wheel, I can't say as I've ever had one of mine slide off down the street with all 4 on the floor - even in the great grim oop north

MrsLK came back a couple winters ago on a snowy day. Parked her Mini as she always does with just the handbrake on and gearbox in neutral (and I've repeatedly told her about doing this). I went out an hour later and it was at the bottom of the drive. It had slid all the way down with both rear wheels locked.

In this scenario a RWD car would have slid irrespective of handbrake or being in park or both but it highlights how there is a potential for it to happen and how having braking on one wheel only if the parking brake is not engaged is potentially very risky.

 

[Droverunner]

Against my care for your pawl advice I remember mum once put our Vauxhall Victor * auto into park at 30mph in town... it locked the rear tyres until she moved the lever again to drive and no damage was done. Easier job for the pawl to lock a pair of 5.60 crossplies than modern 255 rubber I guess.

*A fairly low power mid-60s 1600cc with a two speed auto... yes really two speed. It was hopeless.

 

[LostKiwi]

Against my care for your pawl advice I remember mum once put our Vauxhall Victor * auto into park at 30mph in town... it locked the rear tyres until she moved the lever again to drive and no damage was done. Easier job for the pawl to lock a pair of 5.60 crossplies than modern 255 rubber I guess.

*A fairly low power mid-60s 1600cc with a two speed auto... yes really two speed. It was hopeless.

Has to be better than that stupid thing Honda came up with in the early 80s Civics
Two speed auto but it didn't change gears. In normal driving you'd start in second and it would just slip the torque converter as required. Low was only for use on steep hills.
Awful thing it was.

 

[Blobcat]

Another reason for not using the handbrake - especially if you're not using the car for awhile, is it rusting on... If you ever go to a car auction, take a look at how the drivers have to bang the cars into reverse then watch the wheels skid along the concrete before they bite and the handbrake cracks off.

 

[Tony Dyson]

Once you have broken one your sure not to do it again ..I damged the parking pawl on one my cars , and at the time it went with a such a bang because the car was still on the move ..After that i dont ever use it untill i have stopped ..

Against my care for your pawl advice I remember mum once put our Vauxhall Victor * auto into park at 30mph in town... it locked the rear tyres until she moved the lever again to drive and no damage was done. Easier job for the pawl to lock a pair of 5.60 crossplies than modern 255 rubber I guess.

*A fairly low power mid-60s 1600cc with a two speed auto... yes really two speed. It was hopeless.

So I guess the golden rule here with an autobox is don't attempt to engage P until the car has stopped? it says that in the manual as well

 

[RhodieBill]

On a day to day basis, is it enough to park using the parking prawl without the parking brake applied?

I read in a few forums, mix messages from various owners.
My driveway is apprx. 10% slope down, nothing too steep.

Reason for asking is, I've been using the parking brakes for years till recently I found out that the cables have been stretched and no rooms for any more adjustments.

Car is > 8 years old.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

On anything but relatively level ground, or if parking overnight/extended periods I also use the Parking Brake - usually just 2 clicks suffices as after that it stiffens up considerably.

I would suggest you get the Parking Brake adjusted at the wheel - see Video. You might need to loosen off the cable adjustment before doing this.

 

[EmilysDad]

Column stalks are electric, and it over rides the request to engage park when on the move .

I know

 

[LostKiwi]

Another reason for not using the handbrake - especially if you're not using the car for awhile, is it rusting on... If you ever go to a car auction, take a look at how the drivers have to bang the cars into reverse then watch the wheels skid along the concrete before they bite and the handbrake cracks off.

Probably about the only time I don't use the parking brake.
The 129 is in the barn much of the year always with only the parking pawl to stop it filling.

 

[erickh]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. different messages from various owners.