Question about the Emergency Parking Brake

[jmcquaid1987]

Hi everyone, I just purchased a 2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium.  I read in the manual about the Emergency Parking Brake (EPB), but it's not clear as to when I'm actually supposed to use this.  Is it only when I'm parking on a significant slope?  How exactly do I use it?  I know these are all noob questions and I apologize, I just want to make sure I do everything right with this car!  Thanks for the help!

[gbhrps]

jmcquaid1987,

 

First off, congrats on the new ride! I've personally owned 4 OBW LTD's, one from each new generation since 1997, and each one was better than the last.

 

You can use the emergency brake whenever you park the car. Its actually for use when you park the car on any sloping ground where it might roll away, as a backup system for the parking pawl when you place the transmission in Park.

 

You may have seen movies and YouTube videos where the driver uses the parking brake momentarily for speedy turning manouvers, but the electronic version in your car is NOT for this. It can not be applied quickly and released quickly as it is motor driven, and therein is the problem with this version.

 

Be that as it may, it is intended also as a way to stop the car should your brakes ever fail, and it will do exactly that, in an emergency.

 

Be aware that being mechanical and motor driven, and situated in the water/rust/salt/dirt environment on the underside of the car. Not using it regularly leaves you open for it seizing and not operating when you need it, or upon application, seizing and not releasing. Use it or lose it. Actually the same can be said for your rear wiper motor.

 

My advice would be to use it at least once a week. Myself, I apply the emergency brake on my 2012 everytime I turn the engine off. I'm not kidding, I really do. After having  had one of my 5 speed sports cars roll out of my driveway into the street, I just got into the habit on all of my vehicles. Many will say this is overkill, but I've never had a repeat of the runaway vehicle or had the need of an emergency brake system repair.