Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: N.Ireland
Posts: 92
Is the handbrake needed?
Ok to some this may seem like a dumb question but I'm open to opinions. The guy I just bought my Discovery from says he never once used the electric handbrake, he just left it in park. I also know a farmer who has racked up over 100k on his Disco 3 and says he has never used the handbrake.
Is this safe? It would be a good way of avoiding sticky E-brake problems if so!
24th Feb 2013 10:32 pm
geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
i had my D3 some 3 years and never used the epb did apply it once a week tho just to keep it moving
24th Feb 2013 10:35 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
Never used mine eitherG4 Gone ...but not forgotten
24th Feb 2013 10:37 pm
Duffs
Member Since: 31 Mar 2009
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Posts: 196
Wouldn't like to tell an insurance company it was not on in the unlikely event the park on the gearbox failed. Is it safe, I assume LR fitted it for a reason, even if it is just back up for the gear box. D4 3.0 SDV6 GS 13
D4 3.0 SDV6 GS 09-13
D3 2.7 TDV6 GS 07-09
24th Feb 2013 10:42 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I don't use it all the time either but having seen the size of the parking pawl in the gearbox I always use the EPB on a hill.
If you're expecting or hoping for a big lug of metal engaging in a solid squared gear then do not look at this gearbox on the bench!
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Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23747
I use it all the time. Sitting at red lights I put it into neutral and apply the EPB. Did this for 6.5 years with my D3 and never had one EPB problem. Use it or loose it!
Plus it's a pet hate of mine to sit behind vehicles waiting at red lights being blinded by their brake lights
24th Feb 2013 11:43 pm
yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3373
Lt 100% agree with all of that
24th Feb 2013 11:48 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Check what the high way code says, think you will find that legaly either will do, must have either hand brake applied or be in parkMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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25th Feb 2013 12:05 am
Popelka
Member Since: 31 May 2008
Location: Praha (Prague)
Posts: 2430
Robbie wrote:
If you're expecting or hoping for a big lug of metal engaging in a solid squared gear then do not look at this gearbox on the bench!
Any pics??
LT wrote:
a pet hate of mine to sit behind vehicles waiting at red lights being blinded by their brake lights
thats what we gets here too, it just confuses the out of them when us 'Brits' use the handbrake to hold on lights; they just dont know when your going to pull away Experience is a difficult teacher, because she gives the test first and then the lesson afterwards!!!!
Ithought the same not using it would sort of preserve it....
It didnt....cost me a consideerable amount to get right
Thye deciding factor is called the MOT... it is checked & has to work
dependaant where you do this...for me is Northern Ireland thoroughly checked & reported on
As posted before it would make sense if it deployed avery time you were in P or N & you turned the engine off as per other J/LR vehicles...which is selectableBREXIT - done properly.
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25th Feb 2013 8:24 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8202
If the park brake is not used and you are hit up the bum from behind what are the chances of the gearbox being damaged compared to having the park brake on?It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
25th Feb 2013 9:31 am
nighthawk
Member Since: 24 Jul 2010
Location: Malta
Posts: 1163
I've used my EPB every day and it never gave me a single problem (till now!). I have no option actually. I have a manual so it auto engages when I remove the key. Though even if it didn't, I would still apply it.
As mentioned previously, I wouldn't trust the Park gear (or 1st gear in my case) on the gearbox to hold 2.7 tons of metal on anything but the slightest of inclines. Even on my old Defender 90 (which was decidedly lighter and much more "agricultural"), when my handbrake was non-operational I used to park against a kerb and turn my wheels such that the kerb acted as a chock. That AND 1st gear selected on the gearbox.Dennis
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Commercial Manual Buckingham Blue
25th Feb 2013 9:50 am
amazing
Member Since: 05 Mar 2011
Location: chengdu
Posts: 1542
hills
always use it.
also when offroading on steep inclines park is not recommended as it can jam requireing a tow to allow movement( never tried d4 bu had experience of this before.)
but I wish it was on the propshaft as per oldies....with the ratio of the diff increasing its effect.It is better to have and not need it then need and not have it.
25th Feb 2013 10:22 am
Duffs
Member Since: 31 Mar 2009
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Posts: 196
Section 42 Road Traffic Act 1988 - Regulation 107 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986It is an offence for a person to leave or cause or permit to be left, on a road a motor vehicle which is not attended by a person licensed to drive it unless :-
• the engine is stopped and
• any parking brake which is required to be fitted, is effectively set.
Note 1 Exemptions to stopping engine :-
• a vehicle being used for ambulance, fire or police purposes, or
• a vehicle in such a position and condition as not to be likely to endanger any person or property and engaged in an operation which requires its engine to be used to :-
- drive machinery forming part of, or mounted on the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle, or
- maintain the electrical power of the batteries at a level required for driving that machinery or apparatus.
I would use it in any public place or highway. D4 3.0 SDV6 GS 13
D4 3.0 SDV6 GS 09-13
D3 2.7 TDV6 GS 07-09
26th Feb 2013 8:51 am
Rob55
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: N.Ireland
Posts: 92
Re: Err...
BLFarrar wrote:
Ithought the same not using it would sort of preserve it....
It didnt....cost me a consideerable amount to get right
Thye deciding factor is called the MOT... it is checked & has to work
dependaant where you do this...for me is Northern Ireland thoroughly checked & reported on
As posted before it would make sense if it deployed avery time you were in P or N & you turned the engine off as per other J/LR vehicles...which is selectable
I am also in NI, had not thought about the dreaded MOT, have now been using EPB since reading your post !
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out of them when us 'Brits' use the handbrake to hold on lights; they just dont know when your going to pull away 
