jkeifer3

Hi,

This is the first automobile that I have owned and driven that no longer has a physical pedal or lever with which to engage the parking brake. I have a question and a concern.

The question is how does a state safety inspector know that the parking brake works or not? The concern is that how do I, as an owner who is concerned that the parking brake works and is adjusted correctly, know that the brake is working and will hold the car or a grade if the parking lock in the transmission fails?

Any thoughts?

jj14

If you turn off the automatic parking brake, you will be required to engage it manually by pushing on the button (right below the "auto" button)
So, for testing, just turn off the "Auto"

Page 186-187 at http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_04-02.pdf

crzyis

Just throw it in Neutral while having the parking brake engaged and then release it manually and you will see it works!

spwolf

if the system had a failure, it would show an error... otherwise enjoy your car and dont worry too much. Toyota has been using electronic parking brakes for a while now and no problems...

dseag2

The new Audis have something that looks like a window button that you pull up on to engage the parking brake and push down to disengage, and I have never heard of anyone having issues. I owned 3 with this feature and never had any issues.

I am thrilled with the GS automatic parking brake that I no longer have to engage/disengage. Brilliant!

jkeifer3

All, thanks for the tips and I'll stop worrying and enjoy the lack of having to press the brake pedal

kday

that's awesome

djpeakSD

With California having so many regulations I am so surprised we don't have this State inspection that you speak of!

jtrue28

what triggers the "Auto" feature to actually kick in and apply the parking brake?

jj14

The Auto "button" - Page 186-187 at http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_04-02.pdf

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

We have it worse, SMOG testing

jtrue28

No, how does the car determine when to apply the parking brake? I know about the button, but does the car measure the angle, or what?

MarkGS

You put the car in Park and the ebrake sets. You take it out of Park and the eBrake disengages.....

jtrue28

So it sets every time...not just when it's senses the car on a hill?

spwolf

of course.