[zambarossa]

I am pretty sure it does it for me. That being said, not sure if it does it after some delay or not. But I got used to never doing it manually and it is always on when I come back and start the car.

[LGT39]

Originally Posted by zambarossa

I am pretty sure it does it for me. That being said, not sure if it does it after some delay or not. But I got used to never doing it manually and it is always on when I come back and start the car.

Same here. My routine is turn off the engine, clutch in, put it into first, hop out. I never have to touch the ebrake.

When I turn the car back on, the ebrake is already engaged. I put it into first and it automatically disengages when I start rolling. The only time I manually set the ebrake is when I’m stopped and idling.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by tju2

I'm curious what makes you say a parking pawl is "WAY" weaker? It's my understanding that a parking pawl on an automatic basically locks the transmission from turning. It's like a pin that engages (can't testify as to how strong) preventing the tranny from turning at all. Unless the pawl breaks, the wheels ain't turning with this in place as they are connected to the tranny. There's no dependence on the engine in this scenario.

This is why I say that:



I did find it funny that when I did a search for "parking pawl", under the first search result is the usual list of auto-generated questions. The very first one of those was "What happens if my parking pawl breaks?"

I don't disagree with anything else in your post, it's a good description of how the two things work.

[RACE M3]

If you open the door before turning off the motor I think it activates. I don't recall ever turning it on or off except if I'm at a long traffic light.


Now my question is this.. I just updated my car and wondering if I just never noticed. If I'm at idle with the brake on and hit the clutch then let off the e brake turns off. Maybe I'm normally parked in my garage and don't notice it, but I parked outside last night. I hit the clutch, let off and the ebrake disengaged. The car started rolling and I almost hit one of my other cars =/

[tju2]

Originally Posted by geko29

This is why I say that:



I did find it funny that when I did a search for "parking pawl", under the first search result is the usual list of auto-generated questions. The very first one of those was "What happens if my parking pawl breaks?"

I don't disagree with anything else in your post, it's a good description of how the two things work.

Just wanted to say, after I "appreciated" your post, thank you for a picture and explanation that wasn't argumentative.
Fair question... which is stronger, pressure in the cylinders (or valves, technically) or the pawl. I've always assume a pawl was much stronger until I saw your pic.