I'm the same way about stop lights, but then I sometimes get caught off-guard with a sudden green light and have to hurriedly get back into gear XD

Interesting point about the gear when you get hit, I always reasoned I want to have the brick wall so the car doesn't go driving away if it gets hit hard...dunno.

So, everyone agrees the parking brake/e-brake sucks.

How to fix? I doubt even if every Z owner complained, Nissan wouldn't change how the system operates.

Agreed.

I've always pulled the ebrake, and stick it in 1st (if on level or incline) or Reverse (if on decline), or Park.

ebrake takes the brunt of it all, the rest is on the transmission/engine/clutch.

The stress on the transmission/transmission is less than what it goes through while you're driving it.

"Cause in my eyes brake pads and rotors are cheap compared to a clutch and transmission, that's why I never downshift when coming to a stop light. Just put it in neutral and coast then use the brakes."

I have a 2001 Frontier Supercharged 5 speed manual with 90,000 miles. For those 90,000 miles I have downshifted almost every time I approach a red light or stop sign. Still has the original clutch disks and transmission/rear end are great shape. So enjoy your Z and downshift :driving: . . . because it was made for doing these things. BTW....when you downshift there is less wear to brake pads and rotors because the engine is helping to bring your car to a stop.

I downshift from time to time depending on the situation, but I am just saying I would rather save wear and tear on a high dollar item like clutch and trans when I could just use the cheaper brake pads and rotors, which are much easier to change as well.

Getting back in gear is the fun part :) haha!

And it could go either way with the accident. If the car gets hit then goes flying into someone else and they get hurt.

Or if the driver in the car that hit you dies because your car was in gear and the impact was so great, when it could have been softer if your car would have moved a little. I don't know where I am going with this.. haha.

I'll downshift when slowing, but not stopping. Don't use my e-brake in either situation. (back on topic! rofl)

I have always used my e-brake unless I am on a moderate to steep incline. Otherwise, I just use the e-brake. I do this because I have heard that if someone were to hit you while your car is parked, and in gear, it will damage the transmission. I can see how that makes sense, if someone were to hit your car while its parked, and in gear, suddenly your transmission is forced to violently turn the engine by itself(which we all know, is very difficult).

haha:roflpuke2:

Nope... mine is 2010 and it works great, stops the car from 20 mph no problem, even have way engaged it keep mine from rolling.. not sure if they made a change from the 09 model, mines a 2010 ??

I wanna know what would be involved in changing/upgrading the e-brake to excel more in drifting-type applications.

You would need to tie into the hydro brake lines, so the e-brake would be like pushing the brake pedal, but it would only activate the rears.

Here is a link to what a local did to his 350Z:

Nackers: Handbrake install

That's a lot of work haha. Thanks for the info on that setup :tiphat:

My S14 had a great e-brake, even though I rarely used it. I'm guessing it used a different style.

You dont need an E-brake to initiate a drift in the Z - just clutch kick in turn and gas it hard... once you are sliding counter and modulate throttle