I just got a 2005 Crossfire coupe base, and I had a question, when I first got it, the parking brake button was easy to push down and take the brake off, but after using it, it seems quite a bit more stiff to push, myself I have been pulling it up as far as it will go and using it all the time, how do you guys use it and should I be doing something different?

 

You probably have rust in the cable and possibly the brake shoe mechanism. I would refrain from using it until it is repaired, I broke the cable on one once trying to free it up and the brake was partially locked by rust in the on position, the whole thing was rusted out solid and everything had to be replaced. The cable on mine came apart at the end fitting due to the pressure I put on it.

They have to be used frequently or they can rust up, especially in your type of area.

 

I only use mine on a hill to take the pressure off the trans.

 

I just talked to my friend he said he had it adjusted for the track so the breaks would not lock up when they were hot, and he used it everyday.

 

Well I guess he sold you a car that was not quite up to par. Get him to fix it for you as a friend.

 

It's all mechanical so if it is sticking it's either a) rust; b) lack of lubrication; or c) something is coming apart and partially jamming the release.

 

I think the Manual says to pull it up only two clicks.

 

Not in my manuals, the clicks start before the brakes engage at all, maybe if you put two clicks on it after the brake engaged would be OK though. Depends on how worn the system was I guess.

 

Pull it up until it resists, and then stops, the moderate force you are using (with your arm) to apply it.
It should be applied every time you park the car even if it's an auto. That's why it's called a parking brake.
Many automatic transmission cars (what ever the brand) have frozen parking brake systems because the parking brake is never used.

 

I use mine at traffic lights to avoid warping the rotors up front with the road brakes (manual transmission), it takes, oh, I don't know, 6 or 8 clicks to hold the car on any grade at all.

 

I ruined the back rotor on my bike after getting it really hot and stopping with my foot on the brake. Lesson learned.