Hendrik & Fay wrote: > > Auto boxes have a parking engagement device, however I STRONGLY > recommend that everyone get in the habit of using the hand brake, even > on flat ground.
My employer at the Saab shop lost a parking pawl about 20 years ago. He left the car in the handicap spot closest to the store, flat parking lot, lever in 'P', handbrake off. A delivery truck backed into his car, no obvious bumper damage, but the Borg-Warner box didn't like it at all. Saab parking brakes in that era (Girling front disk parking/service brakes) could lock the front wheels with ease. If he'd set the brake, there's no way the tranny would have been damaged. As for the suggestion to leave the lever in neutral so that the lever wouldn't get stuck in 'P' if the parking brake didn't hold on a hill, would you rather return to your car to find tension on the parking pawl, or perhaps it's better to find your car not where you left it if the p-brake doesn't hold? The 'P' on the tranny is there for redundancy in case the p-brake fails. Using it *except* when on a hill where it might be useful is silly. Mitch _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
