Where is the handbrake in a BMW?

[IkerDella]

BMW's handbrake is located next to the gear lever. BMW is a German automotive brand. Taking the BMW 320i as an example, it is a mid-size sedan with 4 doors and 5 seats. Its body dimensions are: length 4719mm, width 1827mm, height 1459mm, wheelbase 2851mm, fuel tank capacity 50 liters, trunk capacity 350 liters, and curb weight 1850kg. The BMW 320i is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 115 kW and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car features rear-wheel drive, with a front suspension using double-joint spring strut front axle and a rear suspension employing multi-link independent suspension.

[OBrynlee]

As a veteran BMW owner with five years of experience, I know this issue all too well. Most BMWs nowadays have long abandoned the traditional handbrake lever in favor of electronic parking brakes. That small button is located below the dashboard on the driver's left side - just look down and you'll see the square button marked with the letter P. To release the brake before driving, press the brake pedal and push the button downward. When parking, pull it upward to engage automatically. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but once you get used to it, it's incredibly convenient. Especially at traffic lights - a firm press on the brake pedal activates the auto-hold function without even needing to press the button. I remember once when a friend borrowed my car and spent ages looking for the handbrake - I had to laugh at how outdated he was. By the way, the position might vary slightly in X series and performance models, but the functionality remains the same. If you really can't find it, just check the manual.

[VonColeman]

Last time I drove my bestie's new BMW 3 Series, I noticed the handbrake doesn't require any forceful pulling anymore. Right beside the driver's left leg, below the light control area, there's a small silver toggle. A gentle lift upwards engages the brake, while pressing down releases it - incredibly effortless. Modern BMWs have replaced mechanical components with electronic systems, which not only saves space but also makes it smarter. No worries about rolling when driving, and it automatically increases braking force when parked on slopes. Once during traffic, I tried the auto-hold function - pressing the brake all the way makes a green P symbol appear on the dashboard, completely freeing your right foot. The only thing to note is car wash technicians often can't locate it, so you need to remind them beforehand.

[StConnor]

To be honest, I also searched for a while when I first drove a BMW. Nowadays, in mainstream models like the 5 Series and 7 Series, the electronic parking brake button is located on the left-hand dashboard near the steering wheel. It's a small plastic switch marked with a P symbol and a circular arrow. Operation is super simple: pull up when parking, and press down before starting - that's it. Much lighter than mechanical handbrakes, even women can operate it with one hand. BMW engineers designed it on the left side very reasonably, as it doesn't interfere with gear shifting. Once during a long-distance drive when I took a break, after pulling up the handbrake, the system automatically engaged P gear - a double safety against rolling. Remember never to press this button randomly while driving. Although BMW's safety systems are excellent, they still require proper usage.

[LaGavin]

Having driven different BMW models, I noticed that although they all have electronic parking brakes, the button locations actually vary. In sedans, it's usually placed on the left side of the dashboard near the door panel, while in SUVs like the X5, it's designed near the gear lever. This small button may seem insignificant but packs powerful functions: it automatically triggers temporary parking when braking hard at traffic lights, and automatically releases when accelerating on slopes to completely prevent rollback. I remember when test driving the new X3, the salesperson suggested engaging the electronic parking brake before shifting to P gear for long-term parking to protect the transmission. One thing to note: car wash attendants often accidentally press this button, so it's recommended to activate the automatic car wash mode before handing over the vehicle.