In looking at the Laze Daze Companion info on winterizing, The Lazy Daze Companion: Winterize (https://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search/label/Winterize)
one of the suggested steps is to: Chock the wheels front and rear. Leave the parking brake off.
Can someone explain why the parking brake ought to be off?
I certainly can't think of any reason. If you are worried that the mechanism might rust in place and not release when you want it to, that would be the time to apply some spray. Not on the pads or disc's. E450 (mid nineties to 2007?) certain years the parking brake was mounted on the back of the transmission housing. I certainly would engage it and chock it also. RonB
In looking at the Laze Daze Companion info on winterizing, The Lazy Daze Companion: Winterize (https://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search/label/Winterize)
one of the suggested steps is to: Chock the wheels front and rear. Leave the parking brake off.
The brake pads contain iron and are in direct contact, when the parking brake is set. The pads can rust and freeze to the iron brake calipers when parked for extended periods.
Moist climates or salty roads can make the situation worse.
Larry
Wet parking brake cables and mechanisms freeze at night forming ice which expands and locks the parking brake mechanisms ON. My parents drove in reverse in Colorado parking lot for an hour one night following a movie date to get the parking brake to release.