Controls and features -> Parking brake for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003

Parking brake  
63n  
If, in exceptional circumstances,  
it should be necessary to engage  
the parking brake while the vehicle is in  
motion, do not pull it with excessive  
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed  
against the release button while care-  
fully pulling up the lever to apply mod-  
erate pressure.  
Excessive pressure can lead to over-  
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)  
at the rear axle.  
The brake lamps do not come on when  
the parking brake is engaged.  
Always engage the parking brake  
when parking on slopes and inclined  
surfaces, since even placing the  
lever in 1st gear or reverse may not  
provide adequate resistance to roll-  
ing.<  
The parking brake is primarily designed  
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while  
parked. It operates against the rear  
wheels.  
To engage  
The lock engages automatically when  
you lift the lever, and the "PARK  
BRAKE" (in Canada "P") indicator lamp  
comes on in the instrument cluster in  
ignition key position 2. Refer to  
page 21.  
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking  
brake lightly from time to time when  
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic  
signal, for instance), provided that it is  
safe to do so.  
To release  
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the  
button and lower the lever.