Parking Brake - BMW 318i Owner's Manual

Parking brake

56
To engage
The lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever. The "P" indicator lamp
appears in the instrument cluster when
you turn the ignition key to position 2
(refer to page 21).
To release
Pull up on the lever, then press the
release button and lower the lever.
The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked, and acts on the rear wheels.
a
Should exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the brake
with the vehicle in motion, do not apply
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button while
carefully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces,
since selecting 1st gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park".c
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill, e.g., at a traffic
signal, provided that it is safe to do so.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 9 790 377 - © 07/98 BMW AG