Set parking brake properly....
#41
Le Mans Master
#42
Le Mans Master
#48
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
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I remember from when I was a kid how the Corvette E Brake never worked all that well because it was just small regular brake pads inside a small diameter brake drum.
Regardless of that, I have always set the parking brake when I park, out of habit.
1. simply because it's there and it holds the vehicle from moving. And in the case of a Corvette, it helps even if it does not totally hold it.
2. to keep the cable and pads from becoming frozen from not being used.
As far as what the Owners Manual says, I never read it until this thread.
But, I always step on the brake pedal with the vehicle in Neutral before applying the E Brake and then put the vehicle in Park or in gear afterwards.
My reason for doing that is so the gears in the transmission, whether a Manual or Auto, are not supporting the weight of the vehicle.
When ready to drive the vehicle, I don't release the E Brake until the vehicle is running and in gear ready to drive off.
Anyway, just some info and take it for what it's worth
Regardless of that, I have always set the parking brake when I park, out of habit.
1. simply because it's there and it holds the vehicle from moving. And in the case of a Corvette, it helps even if it does not totally hold it.
2. to keep the cable and pads from becoming frozen from not being used.
As far as what the Owners Manual says, I never read it until this thread.
But, I always step on the brake pedal with the vehicle in Neutral before applying the E Brake and then put the vehicle in Park or in gear afterwards.
My reason for doing that is so the gears in the transmission, whether a Manual or Auto, are not supporting the weight of the vehicle.
When ready to drive the vehicle, I don't release the E Brake until the vehicle is running and in gear ready to drive off.
Anyway, just some info and take it for what it's worth
#50
Le Mans Master
I always use the parking brake on the C6 just so the exit mode on the power seats work; I have a narrow garage and narrow parking spaces at work. I also leave it in gear since I don't really trust the brake.
Just for fun I tried to use the parking brake to slow the car at speed and I barely felt it slow down. I've driven cars where a brake hose burst dumping most of the fluid (front line, shared reservoir) and I could still stop far better. I would not depend on it for anything.
Just for fun I tried to use the parking brake to slow the car at speed and I barely felt it slow down. I've driven cars where a brake hose burst dumping most of the fluid (front line, shared reservoir) and I could still stop far better. I would not depend on it for anything.
#51
Melting Slicks
Well...
My C3 and C5 (never had a C4) and my C6 has all been the same for the E Brake... OLD TIME Shoes, INSIDE the Rotor... and Yes I have Pulled up on the E brake, hold the button in, and YES it will slow you down...It is really only ment to hold when you are stopped, but it is Shoes in a Drum... so the harder you PULL the more it stops.
#53
Le Mans Master
#54
Race Director
No gears, no neutral, the engine starts and turns one way for forward and rotates the opposite direction for reverse.
Got to love 2 strokes. No cams, no valves and will run in whatever rotation you start them.
#55
Pro
Thread Starter
#57
Melting Slicks
#59
Melting Slicks
Gotta agree with the O.P..........the other day I was rushing it and forgot to apply pedal pressure and my car rolled forward about 5 inches once I opened the door........it almost wreaked havoc on my front fascia.......got a small, white paint smudge (which buffed out) from contacting the garage door.
Last edited by Speedforhire; 10-13-2011 at 11:12 AM.
#60
Race Director