Parking Brake: Please tell me there is a dash release?
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Parking Brake: Please tell me there is a dash release?
Can't tell from the pics posted, and forgot to notice last Saturday when I visited the dealer and sat in a new GS:
I can see in the online pics in this forum that the brake is a step-on pedal. But god forbid, is it like the RX330 I have...you must step-to-release it? If so, I am going to be terribly disappointed.
I truly DESPISE the lack of a dash release or auto release on my new RX. Hate it. Because I live in hilly country, I use the parking brake a LOT. I never quite trust the park position on the tranny to hold such a heavy car on a hill. We've all felt our cars shift/move an inch or two after shifting into park and releasing the brake pedal; when in my downhill driveway, I always sense it puts an extra strain on the tranny if I don't also set the parking brake.
Thus, I hate to hafta feel around with my left foot and press to release the parking brake. Feel like I'm drivin' a *%&$ Chrysler or something. [That's where I first noticed this stupid press-to-release parking brake phenomenon...when they brought out their new 300 line]. Hell, why wouldn't Lexus include an auto release when you shift into a gear? Cadillac has had this since the last century. On my last GS, there was a handy DASH RELEASE. On my two previous coupes, the brake was an actual handle...which is my top choice. You could actually use it as an 'emergency' brake!
Am I the only person who finds the step-to-release an abomination, difficult to use, and cheap-feeling? Or am I the only person who actually uses this brake anymore? Do I need parking-brake therapy or something? Is it like gangsta rap, should I just accept it as "progress" and quit whining?
I can see in the online pics in this forum that the brake is a step-on pedal. But god forbid, is it like the RX330 I have...you must step-to-release it? If so, I am going to be terribly disappointed.
I truly DESPISE the lack of a dash release or auto release on my new RX. Hate it. Because I live in hilly country, I use the parking brake a LOT. I never quite trust the park position on the tranny to hold such a heavy car on a hill. We've all felt our cars shift/move an inch or two after shifting into park and releasing the brake pedal; when in my downhill driveway, I always sense it puts an extra strain on the tranny if I don't also set the parking brake.
Thus, I hate to hafta feel around with my left foot and press to release the parking brake. Feel like I'm drivin' a *%&$ Chrysler or something. [That's where I first noticed this stupid press-to-release parking brake phenomenon...when they brought out their new 300 line]. Hell, why wouldn't Lexus include an auto release when you shift into a gear? Cadillac has had this since the last century. On my last GS, there was a handy DASH RELEASE. On my two previous coupes, the brake was an actual handle...which is my top choice. You could actually use it as an 'emergency' brake!
Am I the only person who finds the step-to-release an abomination, difficult to use, and cheap-feeling? Or am I the only person who actually uses this brake anymore? Do I need parking-brake therapy or something? Is it like gangsta rap, should I just accept it as "progress" and quit whining?
#2
Lexus Test Driver
I never realized Winston-Salem was so hilly.....
Yeah it's like your RX330 which is a push/push pedal. No room for handbrake levers inboard anymore. The space for a dash release is already taken by the "James Bond" drop down panel so I guess they just ran out of space really. I too use the parking brake even on level terrain. Since it is push/push you have to push fairly hard the first time so it holds well enough on an incline. The GS has the Cadillac trunk closer however......
#3
Originally Posted by winsalem
Thus, I hate to hafta feel around with my left foot and press to release the parking brake.
The only downside I see push to lock, push again to release mechanism is that you can't easily use the parking brake to go into a drift. With the release lever, you could hold the lever pulled and vary your rear wheel braking force with the left foot.
But just for using it as a parking brake, I would rather have the push down to release mechanism as it saves me from reaching for the release lever.
#4
Lexus Connoisseur
Less mechanial parts, less problems down the road. The push to lock parking brake is not really a bad idea. Here in CA, we have steeper hills to deal with, I don't see it as a problem with the 04 RX330 in our household.
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