I have found that the brake will engage or release with or without your foot on the brakes and also with or without the engine running. With that said, I use it the same as in any other automatic transmission vehicle. When parking on an incline or decline, I engage the parking brake BEFORE taking my foot off of the service brakes. And vice versa, when getting back in, I put my foot firmly on the service brakes before releasing the parking brake. Just the way I was taught from young.

 

Thank you sw1, that was very helpful! I talked to some people and they told me the same thing. But do you feel a little "push back" from the brake pedal after you release the parking brake before you shift to P? I feel that everytime after I released the parking brake when I foot is still on the brake pedal

 

Yes, as the parking releases, you do feel a slight push from the pedal. I just always try to avoid that slam on the transmission's gears, not sure what the technical term is.

 

I just called MBUSA today, they told me that what I was doing was right, get in the car, start engine, foot on the brake pedal, release the electric parking brake, then shift to p


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On my third day of ownership, my parking brake failed. MB replaced the switch this week, but that didn't work. I have to leave it in the shop next week for them to spend more time with it. Maybe a bad wiring harness? Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Other than that minor issue, I've been very happy with my new ML.

 

Rchpmn, How did it fail? did not work at all?
I am not sure what dealership gonna do, but when you pick up your car, should have their people get in the car and test drive with you, make sure you know what happened and how to use it.

 

I had only used it once. When it failed, I wasn't even using it. I simply got in the car once and the amber parking brake light was illuminated, along with the red parking brake message on the center display.

 

What did the dealer say after?

 

It turns out the problem with my parking brake was simply some exposed wire rubbing on a metal bracket, causing a short. Simple fix.

 

There is no need to touch the parking brake button to release it. Just touch the accelerator and it releases automatically.

And if when you stop, if you press the brake pedal to engage "Hold", then shut off the motor, the parking brake is then applied automatically again without touching the button.

 

Now that's interesting... have to check those two twists Monday...

 

Tried this morning, they both work. Another example of German over-engineering (or would it be over-programming)? Only thing is when the parking brake is engaged and you press the accelerator, you definitely feel it as it releases, much more so than you feel when taking off when "hold" is engaged.

 

I usually release the parking brake before hit the accelerator when I reverse, I just dont feel "safe" enough to hit the accelerator in reverse. But the parking brake is a pretty handy function for sure.

 

Another scenario, when at a light & using the hold feature, if you open the driver's door with your seat belt still on, the transmission just goes into park. Open the door with your seat belt off, it not only goes into park but will also engage the parking brake.

 

When did the electric parking brake begin?