Parking Brake
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 8
From: CA
I use it all of the time. I live in the hills here is the San Francisco bay area. I set it before taking my foot off of the brake and so my car does not roll back on the transmission.
Isn't this the forum where the new RX rolled down the hill and was totaled (thread with pictures) when the owner didn't set the parking brake?
Found the thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...011-rx350.html
Picture of RX: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._4431155_n.jpg
Isn't this the forum where the new RX rolled down the hill and was totaled (thread with pictures) when the owner didn't set the parking brake?
Found the thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...011-rx350.html
Picture of RX: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._4431155_n.jpg
Last edited by UCSB; Dec 20, 2011 at 10:07 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 26
From: GA
Thanks for finding this thread. It was on my 'to do' list. I'm sitting here thinking about the comments about not using the parking brake and then wondering how many of these cars we could sell if it became optional.
There is a limit how much the transmission parking mechanism (pawl) can handle, especially over repeated use over time. And why does the manual state it should always be used, not just on hills but always ???
It's like seat belts with me. I'm buckled before starting the car, and the parking brake is always set as the tranny is placed in park. Even in my garage. It's a good habit.
I wonder what my insurance company USAA would say if MY car rolled downhill even if the car was proved to be in park and struck a pole or another car or injured someone and the parking brake was not engaged ??? They'd probably cancel me.
There is a limit how much the transmission parking mechanism (pawl) can handle, especially over repeated use over time. And why does the manual state it should always be used, not just on hills but always ???
It's like seat belts with me. I'm buckled before starting the car, and the parking brake is always set as the tranny is placed in park. Even in my garage. It's a good habit.
I wonder what my insurance company USAA would say if MY car rolled downhill even if the car was proved to be in park and struck a pole or another car or injured someone and the parking brake was not engaged ??? They'd probably cancel me.
I use it all of the time. I live in the hills here is the San Francisco bay area. I set it before taking my foot off of the brake and so my car does not roll back on the transmission.
Isn't this the forum where the new RX rolled down the hill and was totaled (thread with pictures) when the owner didn't set the parking brake?
Found the thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...011-rx350.html
Picture of RX: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._4431155_n.jpg
Isn't this the forum where the new RX rolled down the hill and was totaled (thread with pictures) when the owner didn't set the parking brake?
Found the thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...011-rx350.html
Picture of RX: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._4431155_n.jpg
Last edited by Cruiter; Dec 21, 2011 at 05:28 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Thanks for the chuckle
There is a limit how much the transmission parking mechanism (pawl) can handle, especially over repeated use over time. And why does the manual state it should always be used, not just on hills but always ???
It's like seat belts with me. I'm buckled before starting the car, and the parking brake is always set as the tranny is placed in park. Even in my garage. It's a good habit.
I wonder what my insurance company USAA would say if MY car rolled downhill even if the car was proved to be in park and struck a pole or another car or injured someone and the parking brake was not engaged ??? They'd probably cancel me.
[/FONT]
That's probably the reason Lexus mentions it in the manual.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: VA
I noticed that I have to depress my parking brake almost all the way to the floor on my 3 months new 2011 RX350 in order for the car to not roll at all. Is this normal or is an adjustment needed for the car to be stopped way before the parking brake pedal reaches the floor?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 385
Likes: 45
From: New Jersey
There actually is a "right way" to use the parking brake when parking on an uphill incline:
1) Keep your foot on the brake
2) Place the car into NEUTRAL
3) Engage the parking brake
4) Place the car into PARK
5) Take your foot off the brake
This way, it reduces the stress on the parking pawl holding the car in place on an incline.
Because of the slack in the tranny on an uphill incline , you feel the car roll back slightly after placing in PARK.
If you then put on the parking brake after, the stress is still on the tranny.
Happy Holidays !
1) Keep your foot on the brake
2) Place the car into NEUTRAL
3) Engage the parking brake
4) Place the car into PARK
5) Take your foot off the brake
This way, it reduces the stress on the parking pawl holding the car in place on an incline.
Because of the slack in the tranny on an uphill incline , you feel the car roll back slightly after placing in PARK.
If you then put on the parking brake after, the stress is still on the tranny.
Happy Holidays !
Last edited by NJLEXES; Dec 21, 2011 at 07:15 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 26
From: GA
Above my paygrade. I'm gonna just assume it works similarly and keep using my parking brake 
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: AB
I use it only when parking on an uphill or downhill street.....that's how I recall being taught in driving school. Never even thought of using it on a level parking surface. Thanks for the perspective.