Parking methods

David328M-Sport · 09-20-2005, 06:45 PM

In particular to Steptronic owners, I am just curious as to what you engage first when parking. Is it the handbrake followed by the P position or the P position then handbrake?

Thanks.

BellasBmw · 09-20-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David325Australia

In particular to Steptronic owners, I am just curious as to what you engage first when parking. Is it the handbrake followed by the P position or the P position then handbrake?

Thanks.

P position and then handbrake for me!

HRC · 09-20-2005, 06:51 PM

When I'm driving an auto, I always put it in "park", then I engage the handbrake.

Danny

puck724 · 09-20-2005, 06:51 PM

park then the handbrake...i dont use the handbrake too often though...unless im on a hill...meh.

chris · 09-20-2005, 06:52 PM

same here...P position then handbrake...have you been driving a manual car all your life?

CA330i · 09-20-2005, 06:59 PM

Proper technique is: foot on brake, P position, parking brake, foot off brake. Change the order, or omit a step, and you risk damage to the transmission.

LEDZEP · 09-20-2005, 07:01 PM

Handbrake? With an auto? In Delaware??

The highest hill in Delaware is some guy's driveway. But seriously, since I don't park on hills I never engage the hand brake. Back in my clutch days (ZenDriver, don't you start with me) I used to use it.

David328M-Sport · 09-20-2005, 07:16 PM

Yeah, I put my foot on the brake then engage P the engage the handbrake.
Thanks everyone.

nocturnal · 09-20-2005, 07:19 PM

Sorry, but WHY would you need the handbrake with an automatic?
Seriously... i read something up above about damaging the tranny??
IS this true?? "DOH!"

Doesn't the P position already work as a handbrake??

Pls explain.

THANKS!!!

David328M-Sport · 09-20-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

The highest hill in Delaware is some guy's driveway.

Pretty much the same in Melbourne. Most of the city is flat apart from a few choice suburbs. We got a few hilly areas. I still use the handbrake. Habit from my manual BMW days, I suppose.

David328M-Sport · 09-20-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocturnal

Sorry, but WHY would you need the handbrake with an automatic?
Seriously... i read something up above about damaging the tranny??
IS this true?? "DOH!"

Doesn't the P position already work as a handbrake??

Pls explain.

THANKS!!!

No damage to the tranny because the handbrake engages the rear wheels only. Maybe for an auto the HB may be a little redundant and market forces & country laws may have other thoughts about a handbrake free auto. However a handbrake with an auto in my opinion is necessary in case say for instance one needs to push the car to safety (in N of course) and the only way to safely stop it is to engage the HB, especially if the engine is off and there are no hydraulics available.

Any other thoughts on this?

CA330i · 09-20-2005, 07:43 PM

My bad - I had always assumed that just leaving the car in park w/out the brake would damage the gear. You know how the car sometimes rolls forward or back a little bit if you don't apply the brake? I assumed (incorrectly) that this was harmful. I was wrong, apparently it is normal.

nocturnal · 09-20-2005, 07:49 PM

i know what you mean about the roll.... and then when you try to put into D or R, it makes an unpleasant sound... anyone know what i mean??

I always cringe when that happens 'cause it doesn't sound too "Schmooth"

Anyways, i'll try to use it, JUST incase.

IMAGINATION GOING WILD: David325, incase the driver passes out or something, the passenger can yank on the handbrake, or IF there's brake failure of some sort, handbrake!!

K, probably not too realistic NOR probable

Thanks tho.

CA330i · 09-20-2005, 08:01 PM

" If the park mechanism is lined up so that it can drop into one of the notches in the output gear section, the tapered bushing will push the mechanism down. If the mechanism is lined up on one of the high spots on the output, then the spring will push on the tapered bushing, but the lever will not lock into place until the car rolls a little and the teeth line up properly. This is why sometimes your car moves a little bit after you put it in park and release the brake pedal -- it has to roll a little for the teeth to line up to where the parking mechanism can drop into place."

Eldalo3 · 09-20-2005, 08:13 PM

guysssssssss what are you doing might damge the Tran.. The right and the best way put the tran. on The N then the handbreak all the way up. relace the foot break then agian put you foot and put the tran. P
got it?

ska///235i · 09-20-2005, 08:20 PM

LOL funny thread....sounds like drivers Ed

nocturnal · 09-20-2005, 08:33 PM

Eldalo... you serious? It'll take me longer to park than to drive there and back! haha

but I appreciates

Guess the tranny will just have to suffer haha

SKA: what's "drivers Ed" mean?

davinet78 · 09-21-2005, 05:36 AM

technically you should only use the hand brake in emergency situations and not to park

Aussie_E90_SBLACK_325 · 09-21-2005, 07:33 AM

davinet, Are you saying every driving instructor in Australia is wrong when they tell you to use your handbrake when parking. Then again Australia is very strict when it comes to rules and regulations so maybe we are doing it right and North America is doing yet another thing wrong ...haa lol

Red · 09-21-2005, 07:56 AM

To use a handbrake with a manual is critical, but for a Steptronic tranny's, it's not neccesary.

Trust me, you're not gonna do any damage to that BMW automatic tranny.

Eldalo3 · 09-21-2005, 08:34 AM

100% I'm sure you will damge the tran. if you do not put the N than handbreak because all the body weight holding by the tran. ifffff you do not use the handbreak. So use it use it use it on the tran. on N

BMW786 · 09-21-2005, 10:03 AM

Good info. When you are releasing, does it matter if you release the handbrake before the car is on or after? So if you are leaving, is it foot on the brake, release handbrake, start the car and then D position? Thanks.

09-20-2005, 06:45 PM	#1
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	Parking methods In particular to Steptronic owners, I am just curious as to what you engage first when parking. Is it the handbrake followed by the P position or the P position then handbrake? Thanks. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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09-20-2005, 06:51 PM	#3
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	When I'm driving an auto, I always put it in "park", then I engage the handbrake. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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09-20-2005, 06:51 PM	#4
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	park then the handbrake...i dont use the handbrake too often though...unless im on a hill...meh. __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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09-20-2005, 06:52 PM	#5
chris Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 281 Posts Drives: Jet Black e90 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	same here...P position then handbrake...have you been driving a manual car all your life?
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09-20-2005, 06:59 PM	#6
CA330i Private 2 Rep 91 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Proper technique is: foot on brake, P position, parking brake, foot off brake. Change the order, or omit a step, and you risk damage to the transmission. __________________ E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
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09-20-2005, 07:01 PM	#7
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Handbrake? With an auto? In Delaware?? The highest hill in Delaware is some guy's driveway. But seriously, since I don't park on hills I never engage the hand brake. Back in my clutch days (ZenDriver, don't you start with me) I used to use it. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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09-20-2005, 07:16 PM	#8
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I put my foot on the brake then engage P the engage the handbrake. Thanks everyone. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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09-20-2005, 07:19 PM	#9
nocturnal Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto, ontario iTrader: (0)	Sorry, but WHY would you need the handbrake with an automatic? Seriously... i read something up above about damaging the tranny?? IS this true?? "DOH!" Doesn't the P position already work as a handbrake?? Pls explain. THANKS!!!
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09-20-2005, 07:43 PM	#12
CA330i Private 2 Rep 91 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	My bad - I had always assumed that just leaving the car in park w/out the brake would damage the gear. You know how the car sometimes rolls forward or back a little bit if you don't apply the brake? I assumed (incorrectly) that this was harmful. I was wrong, apparently it is normal. __________________ E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
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09-20-2005, 07:49 PM	#13
nocturnal Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto, ontario iTrader: (0)	i know what you mean about the roll.... and then when you try to put into D or R, it makes an unpleasant sound... anyone know what i mean?? I always cringe when that happens 'cause it doesn't sound too "Schmooth" Anyways, i'll try to use it, JUST incase. IMAGINATION GOING WILD: David325, incase the driver passes out or something, the passenger can yank on the handbrake, or IF there's brake failure of some sort, handbrake!! K, probably not too realistic NOR probable Thanks tho.
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09-20-2005, 08:01 PM	#14
CA330i Private 2 Rep 91 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	" If the park mechanism is lined up so that it can drop into one of the notches in the output gear section, the tapered bushing will push the mechanism down. If the mechanism is lined up on one of the high spots on the output, then the spring will push on the tapered bushing, but the lever will not lock into place until the car rolls a little and the teeth line up properly. This is why sometimes your car moves a little bit after you put it in park and release the brake pedal -- it has to roll a little for the teeth to line up to where the parking mechanism can drop into place." __________________ E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
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09-20-2005, 08:13 PM	#15
Eldalo3 Private 8 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 325/E90 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	guysssssssss what are you doing might damge the Tran.. The right and the best way put the tran. on The N then the handbreak all the way up. relace the foot break then agian put you foot and put the tran. P got it?
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09-20-2005, 08:20 PM	#16
ska///235i ***** noob 1370 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	LOL funny thread....sounds like drivers Ed
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09-20-2005, 08:33 PM	#17
nocturnal Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto, ontario iTrader: (0)	Eldalo... you serious? It'll take me longer to park than to drive there and back! haha but I appreciates Guess the tranny will just have to suffer haha SKA: what's "drivers Ed" mean?
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09-21-2005, 05:36 AM	#18
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	technically you should only use the hand brake in emergency situations and not to park __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
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09-21-2005, 07:33 AM	#19
Aussie_E90_SBLACK_325 Private First Class 5 Rep 177 Posts Drives: E90 Sapphire Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	davinet, Are you saying every driving instructor in Australia is wrong when they tell you to use your handbrake when parking. Then again Australia is very strict when it comes to rules and regulations so maybe we are doing it right and North America is doing yet another thing wrong ...haa lol __________________
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09-21-2005, 07:56 AM	#20
Red Chris Bangle For Prez 7 Rep 240 Posts Drives: Ford (yea, I know) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	To use a handbrake with a manual is critical, but for a Steptronic tranny's, it's not neccesary. Trust me, you're not gonna do any damage to that BMW automatic tranny. __________________ Twin kidneys 4 evar...
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09-21-2005, 08:34 AM	#21
Eldalo3 Private 8 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 325/E90 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	100% I'm sure you will damge the tran. if you do not put the N than handbreak because all the body weight holding by the tran. ifffff you do not use the handbreak. So use it use it use it on the tran. on N
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09-21-2005, 10:03 AM	#22
BMW786 Lieutenant 28 Rep 537 Posts Drives: SGraphite90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Bay, CA iTrader: (1)	Good info. When you are releasing, does it matter if you release the handbrake before the car is on or after? So if you are leaving, is it foot on the brake, release handbrake, start the car and then D position? Thanks.
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