Nissan 350Z Brakes and Transmission?

Question

My son and I have a difference of opinion that we need help on: First, he is concerned that leaving the car overnight on an incline with the parking brake on will be damaging to the brakes. Second, he feels that leaving it in gear on the incline overnight also will damage the car. I don't understand why either situation would be a problem. Also, the manual says something about depressing the brake pedal with the engine off OR if the fluid is low, it will decrease the stopping distance. I certainly understand the flud low part but not the brake pedal with the engine off - can someone enlighten us?

Answer 1

Just looked in the service manual 350Z uses internal drum brake inside the rear brake disk rotor. No harm will come to the brake just release it before driving. There is a rubber plug thru which you click the adjuster to tighten the rear shoes when they wear. Vacuum brake booster pumping the brake 10 times bleeds away the vacuum brake assist. That will make the first stop a little longer until the engine manifold vacuum builds up inside the brake booster diaphragm. Low brake fluid may cause air in the brakes. Leaving the car in gear over night where did he get the idea that would damage anything. Only the selectors and syncro assembly lock the gears to the shafts.Only the reverse gear moves all other gears are in continuous engagement I see mechanic 101 classes in his future. On hills put it in Low gear set the parking brake and turn the front wheels toward the curb. Be safe..

Answer 2

Neither will damage the car, but if you forget the car is in gear when you start it, could be a diaster. The parking brake is design to hold the car on an incline or decline ( a hill). To be completely safe place a wheel chocks (10 bucks at Walmart) behind both wheels on the ground. Just remember to remove them before you move the vehicle. Have fun tinkerin

Answer 3

ok first of all, if you park it on the incline in neutral with no e brake, you will most certainly have bigger problems than a little brake damage, second, whether the car is on or off, depressing the brake pedal while motionless will pump the brake fluid so that when you go to stop, the brakes engage faster, why it works, well ask your mechanic (on monday) another very old school trick that my mother taught me to tighten your brakes, in an old junky car that is, is to go to an empty parking lot, and speed up in reverse and slam on your brakes, but yes to leaving it in gear (if you are facing downhill, leave it in reverse) and duh that is kind of what the e brake, or, PARKING BRAKE was made for