Should just be the engine... I've had no problems doing just that.

I see the post above yours now saying the 5/8 fix addresses this... maybe you're already in the clear? When's delivery?

Cool.

I'll be adventurous and try using the park brake before turning off the engine (when I'm driving by myself) to see if the problem really has been fixed.

Since the workaround is so effortless, I'll use that method when applying the brake when there are passengers in the car.

Just curious. Is there any truth to this statement:
"It is important to apply your parking brake when you park. It will protect your gears from stripping".

A Caddy mechanic told me that this was true when on any sort of incline. He said, if you noticed that when you set a car in park, then let off the brakes that you'll notice the car roll slightly. It puts the gears in a wrong position and when re-engaging the gears cause slight unnecessary rubbing. Over a long period of time this may lead to a slight stripping of the gear. He claims the parking brake will prevent this shift.

His explanation does make some sense. What are your takes?

rh71. I just took delivery of the car over the weekend :) I didn't want to say anything on the board until I get some pictures of it. Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend. The car is awesome. Just not fond of the gas consumption though.

Nonsense. Stripped gears means that the gear teeth are knocked off, and the gears no longer engage.

When you put a vehicle in park, it has little to do with the gears. There is a pawl, which is a little arm, that engages and stops the output shaft turning. It is built fairly light, and if you ever put a vehicle in park while it is rolling, you risk breaking the pawl. The gears, meanwhile, are all at rest. Without the clutch packs engaged, they are simply idling, same as neutral.

Using a parking brake is logical, as it is safer. On a steep hill, it also prevents too much load being applied to the parking pawl.

^ well that pawl audibly creaks a lot at stop (engaging parking brake and releasing foot brake) and start (releasing brake and backing out)... on a very slightly inclined driveway. I guess it's as normal as possible...

I just joined the party. My X5 is having the "Parking Brake Malfunction" problem.

what model year e70 are having these problems? i just ordered a 2009 30i. i hope i will be spared of those issues...

Mine is 08 MY, was built in November 07.

> the gave me a freakin ford fusion rental - not happy

Yeah, but I'll bet you the parking brake won't stick on the Fusion, which might not be the case if they gave you an X5 loaner! :)

Interesting thread. From reading other forums completely unrelated to cars, I find many people posting in the 'others' section about topics such as this ! Its not just X5's that have the problem, its very common across lots of different makes of vehicles, and its down to the fact that there are actuators and cables which can all fail from time to time, hell even a normal hand brake needs adjusted and lubed every 10000 miles or so !

i dont even use it anymore.