Don't alarms go off when you forget to release your parking brakes? I forgot to release it this morning and nothing happened, the car just refused to move.

I then did a little test with the parking brakes partially engaged and lightly applied some gas (5 seconds) on reverse gear, but the car went about without any audible or visual warning (aside from the "Brake" light). Could someone "chime" in on this? hehe. BTW, i have a 2007 RL.

 

If you take off with the parking brake on, the MID will inform you and courteously tell you to release it. I cant remember if it does it in reverse but I'm sure it does it once you are in drive.

 

Having experienced this a number of times (though less often now that I remember to use the parking brake more ), you hear ONE chime and simultaneously have a big amber sign on the MID telling you to release the brake. If you miss the chime (it's hard to), I don't know whether you get another. Never waited around to find out.

 

I thought it also shut off the Daytime Running Lights. They may have taken this away, but I remember in the 05, if the car was running and the parking brake was on the MID said "DRL off". Does it do that in your 07?

 

Parking Brake is discussed in at least two parts of the 07 manual

Page 63 says:

This indicator has two functions:
It comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page 78).

If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake system....(rest omitted)

P. 78 shows you pictures of the brake warning icons as well as other icons that come up in the MID.

Page 445 of the 07 Manual says:

The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. If you do
not release the parking brake, the
indicator will stay on, and you will
see a ‘‘RELEASE PARKING
BRAKE’’ message on the multiinformation
display.

 

Okay i did the following tests:

1. Parking brake partially engaged and locked with slight gas in D(drive) for ~2ft. = No alarm

2. Parking brake fully engaged and locked with car idle on D(drive) and foot off brake pedal = No alarm

I don't hear any warning chimes or messages on the MID. Should i be concerned and take this to the dealer?

 

Okay i just went and checked this..

With the parking brakes engaged, after engine Ignition, the MID displays "DRL off". Putting the car in (D), "DRL off" remains in display - no warning chimes or "Release parking brake message".

With the transmission back in P(park), and releasing the parking brake while the engine is still runing, the "DRL off" message disappears and the Daytime Running Lights turn on. Reapplying the parking brake at this point and shifting to D does not trigger any alarm either (altho i can understand that).

 

I have been guilty of doing this countless number of times, however, never has my '05 RL complained!

 

My guess is somehow the parking-brake warning mode got switched off in my car.

 

For the parking brake warning to come on the car has to move, not simply put in gear.

 

Maybe it's just me, but if you apply your parking brake firmly, there's going to be enough drag that you can't help but notice it ... warning or not.

Now, if you half-heartedly stab at it, engaging it only partially, I guess you could drive a short distance without noticing it, but I have to say that's never happened to me.

Surely you guys aren't saying you're driving any kind of distance with it engaged (?)

.
.

 

I went 2ft on (D)rive with the parking brakes slightly engaged without warning bells or messages. Same thing on (R)everse gear. All I see is DRL off.

 

perhaps the audible and MID alert is a new feature in '06+?

 

I have a 2007 RL-Tech.

 

My '06 RL recently beeped at me and provided a MID warning when I drove off with the parking brake engaged. I did not approach the issue scientifically, I just remember being in Drive, having just taken off out of a driveway. I heard a chime and looked at the orange warning message in the MID.

The car will provide an audible feedback if you are moving in Drive with the parking brake engaged.

Rob144

 

Agreed, same experience with my 06, but I have not done a systematic test of various conditions.