i bought a 2001 stratus r/t coupe (automatic) for a steal from my boss. right now the center console is out(he is putting it back in for me tuesday night). i am a well rather large man and driving home the e-brake handle was digging into my leg so bad i actually pulled over and removed it. this is only my second automatic car (and my first American car too actually) so my question is at the end of the day how important really is the e-brake in an automatic tranny car?

 

I never use mine in my automatic. When I had a manual I never used it either cause I would leave it gear. I think one time i was parked on a very very steep hill where even with it in gear my truck was moving making the trans and gears move under all the stress. That was the only time I used it. Otherwise if i was working on the truck i simply chocked the wheels.

 

You should use your ebrake every time you park the car and leave it unatended. That being said, I have a relatively flat driveway so even if the car was in neutral it wouldn't go anywhere. The park pin in the trans is meant to lock the trans and not hold the car in place. It's up to you how you use it but I always use mine (auto trans) if I am not parking on a flat surface.

 

ill reconnect it when we put the console back in tomorrow and see if it still jabs me in the leg. if it does any ideas how to keep it from it and keep the e-brake still connected?

 

Since it's basically a cable with a ratchet/release mechanism, if you're ambitious enough, you may be able to relocate it. There are also other handles you can use in place of the stock one, you might be able to find one that is shorter/longer where it won't be quite as much in the way.

 

a shorter or longer handle wont help. i would have to relocate it to the passenger side or the center of the console. i dont have the tools or knowledge to be able to fabricate a new mount. at this point im thinking i may just have to live without the e-brake. ive talked to everyone i know and no one who drives and automatic uses the ebrake. i hate disconnecting it but i dont see many other options. has anyone with these cars parked on a hill and actually had the car start to roll with it in park? i didnt even think that was possible.

 

i started a new post as it really moved beyond the scope if the question i asked here