Is my vehicle improperly parked?

[Treeri]

Greetings everyone,


I acquired my inaugural Mercedes last year, which was also my first automatic vehicle. It is a 2022 A250.

The salesman stated that he never manually activates the electric handbrake, instead permitting it to engage automatically when turning off the engine.

In light of this counsel, I presently undertake the following actions when parking:

1. Halt the vehicle while remaining in Drive.
2. Depress the Park button located at the end of the lever.
3. Deactivate the engine, which immediately activates the electronic handbrake.

However, I recently learnt that this will inflict harm by exerting stress on the gearbox and was told instead to:

1. Halt the vehicle while it remains in Drive.
2. Shift the lever to Neutral
3. Engage the electronic handbrake button manually.
4. Depress the Park button located at the end of the lever.
5. Subsequently, deactivate the engine.

What are the opinions of all individuals? Could you provide any recommendations, please?

I acknowledge that this may appear to be a little topic; nevertheless, as this is my first automobile, I lack the technical knowledge of automotive engineering to discern what is correct or incorrect, or what can lead to harm.

Thank to everybody.

[HOV]

I have consistently performed the following: shift to Park, deactivate the engine, and let the electric parking brake to operate automatically.

Similar to you, I am want to understand why this may be seen inappropriate. Delighted to be informed.

[trikey]

Engaging Park with the vehicle not level may exert stress on the gearbox parking pawl, which can be alleviated by activating the parking brake. The parking pawl is not composed of chocolate, to my knowledge, therefore it is unlikely to cause damage unless the vehicle is positioned on a steep incline; nonetheless, why assume the risk? I consistently activate the parking brake prior to shifting the gearbox into Park, to ensure safety.

On a gentle incline, I might refrain from utilising the parking brake to prevent it from adhering if the vehicle remains stationary for several days. The incline of my driveway is little in front of the home, but steeper further away; therefore, I apply the brake before shifting the gearbox into Park on the steeper stretch.

[Starcar2022]

In our 2019 C Class, turning off the engine switches the gearbox into Park and activates the parking brake.


I only engage Park manually if the engine is running, such as when I exit to open the gates.

[QuirkyPixel]

Valid observations. Concerning the pawl, several years ago, my former neighbour collided with our stationary Vito, which was not engaged in the parking brake, with sufficient force to displace it significantly. I anticipated the pawl to be compromised, but it was intact. He was inebriated; he ultimately parked his vehicle against the front of their residence.

[QuirkyPixel]

Contemporary vehicles, like many modern Mercedes, automatically activate the parking brake, limiting user discretion. However, with older models (e.g., our Vito and SL), I seldom engage the parking brake as they are typically parked on level terrain.

[HOV]

This is logical.

Nonetheless, the procedure of engaging the brake pedal, shifting to Park, turning off the engine, and only releasing the brake pedal when exiting the vehicle is firmly entrenched in my routine, likely advantageous as it applies to all automatic vehicles.


I did not include the brake pedal in my post, since it is second nature to me; I maintain pressure on it when starting the car until I am prepared to drive, and I keep it depressed while stopping until I am ready to exit the vehicle. Traditional approach?

[HOV]

Concurred. According to my second post, maintaining pressure on the brake pedal resolves this issue.

[QuirkyPixel]

There is nothing amiss with that. Many contemporary vehicles will not initiate unless the brake pedal is engaged.

I possess two contemporary compact tractors, both equipped with hydraulic transmissions, akin to automatic systems. They possess several safety features related to engine ignition, involving foot brake(s).

Occupancy of the driver's seat
Transmission range selector
Selection of PTO Drive
Power Take-Off (PTO) clutch
Neither party seems concerned about the parking brake, however 🙂

One of these requires the gearbox to be in neutral for ignition, regardless of the foot brake status. Regrettably, the range selection lacks synchronisation, necessitating minor adjustments of the tractor using the brake to go between High, Medium, Low, and Neutral gears. Failing to pick neutral prior to shutting off the engine may result in an inability to shift into neutral for subsequent restarts.

The other vehicle is equipped with a synchroniser on the selector, but it does not require being in neutral to initiate: :doh: However, the brake must be engaged.

[stevenkeyte]

Engage the parking brake, release the foot from the brake pedal (the vehicle may roll somewhat if on an incline), and then shift into park. However, that pertains to a mechanical parking brake.
I detest the necessity of coercing an automobile out of park.

[Black_raven]

🙃