Parking brake (BMW 5 Series E39)

Tightening the brake

The lever is fixed automatically. If the ignition key is in position 2, the control lamp with the symbol "P" (refer to Section 1).

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 on its own 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. Sudden application of the parking brake may cause the rear wheels to lock and the vehicle to skid.

When the parking brake is applied, the brake lights do not come on.

Vehicles 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 spontaneously under certain circumstances. Vehicles with automatic transmission: move the automatic transmission lever to position P.

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

[Original publication posted on the website: «www.bmwman.ru»]