Parking brake (BMW 3 Series E46)

Tightening the brake

The lever is fixed automatically. If the ignition key is in position 2, the control lamp on the instrument panel will light.

Releasing the brake

Pull the lever up a little, press the button and lower the lever down.

The parking brake is intended only to keep a stationary vehicle from moving spontaneously and acts on the rear wheels.

If, as an exception, you have to use the parking brake while driving, do not apply it with great force. In doing so, you should constantly hold down the button on the lever.

Applying the parking brake too hard can cause the rear wheels to lock and the vehicle to skid. The brake lights do not come on when the parking brake is applied.

Cars with manual transmission: when parking on steep roads, apply the parking brake, as engaging first or reverse gear may not be sufficient to prevent the vehicle from moving off on its own under certain circumstances.

Cars with AT: move the AT selector lever to position P.

To prevent corrosion, lightly tighten the parking brake lever from time to time when approaching a traffic light at low speed, if, of course, the traffic situation allows it.