Never driven an automatic before...

[KAgantua]

Do you use the parking brake in traffic etc?
Or should you only use it when actually parked, and simply use the footbrake etc?

[Willy Nilly]

Leave your foot on the brake, it really annoys the PH board of directors, they have failing eyesight

[Jonno02]

I only use the brake even in a manual.

[RichB]

KAgantua said:

Do you use the parking brake in traffic etc?
Or should you only use it when actually parked, and simply use the footbrake etc?

If you're going to be stationary for more than a few moments it's courtesy to the driver behind to put the gearshift into "park" (not the parking brake) this means your brake lights aren't glaring in their face. I hardly ever use the handbrake.

p.s. at the knobs below

[lostkiwi]

Just use the foot brake. I don't think I ever used the parking brake on our automatic Mercs.

[Monkeylegend]

Footbrake for a short stop or hold function for longer. It's not my fault Mercedes design it so the brake lights stay on.

[RichB]

Monkeylegend said:

Footbrake for a short stop or hold function for longer. It's not my fault Mercedes design it so the brake lights stay on.

Doesn't Merc have a park position on the gear selector?

[Wacky Racer]

Simply just use the footbrake.

[Marvib]

I generally put it in N if stopped/expect to be stopped for more than 10 seconds.

Watch out for left foot braking it can hurt

Edited to change P to N, been two years since I had an auto.

Edited by Marvib on Monday 6th July 22:48

[Mr E]

RichB said:

Doesn't Merc have a park position on the gear selector?

It does, but if you need the parking brake it's a bit odd (foot operated) and I think I've used it twice.

[chopper602]

Whats the matter with N for neutral, with the handbrake on? Why slide it all the way to Park (and panic the driver behind when your reverse light comes on) ?

[lostkiwi]

chopper602 said:

Whats the matter with N for neutral, with the handbrake on? Why slide it all the way to Park (and panic the driver behind when your reverse light comes on) ?

You ever used a Merc foot operated parking brake? One of the most craps designs ever.

[andym1603]

You will be surprised how good the brakes feel when you go for the clutch and hit the brakes with your left foot. I would use the handbrake when stopped with the 'box in either Drive or neutral.

[FourWheelDrift]

I was always told handbrake if stopped for longer than a few seconds and keep it in drive, only put it into park if you are going to stopped for longer than a traffic light such as for a long time in a traffic jam, then you would probably switch off the engine anyway. - http://www.driving-test-success.com/driving-articl...

Something about torque converter wear if you keep moving from drive to park incessantly whilst driving.

[PanzerCommander]

I have always left mine in D and just put the handbrake on, unless I am going to be stopped for a few seconds then I just use the foot brake.

[Sump]

Stay on the brake and annoy the peasant driving a manual behind you.

[anonymous-user]

PanzerCommander said:

I have always left mine in D and just put the handbrake on, unless I am going to be stopped for a few seconds then I just use the foot brake.

This.

[ADEuk]

The great thing about auto's is that you don't have to put your left shoe on until you get to work

[Z.B]

Use handbrake same as manual.

Neutral is just for being towed. Use P when parked. Otherwise leave it in D while stationary at traffic lights etc.

[GravelBen]

Put it in neutral, keep the accelerator on the floor, then slap it into drive when the lights go green. Job done.