I noticed that when I get in or out of my Honda 2016 Fit, the rear will creak unless I tighten the parking / emergency brake really tight. It gets worse if I park on an incline. Any clues as to what's causing this? Is it just the e-brake or perhaps suspension.

 

Guessing e-brake, not unsual, at least from past cars I've owned

 

Does the '16 have rear discs with the parking brake in the hub, or rear drum brakes?

If so, lubricating the shoe-to-backing-plate contact area would fix this if it bothers you.

 

Have you tried without the e-brakes applied? That will point out where's coming from. Might be a bad strut. Goodl luck

 

Mine does this too. I always use the parking break every time I park.

 

I don't think it makes the creaking noise if the parking brake isn't engaged so it sounds like the e-brake is the culprit.

Is it bad to always engage the parking brake tight to maximum clicks? If it's just a drum brake shoe squeak then it's not too bad; just concerned if I should get something fixed while it is still under warranty.

 

When the suspension compresses, you get small adjustments in wheelbase. It's just the nature of suspension geometry. When you lock the parking brake, it prevents (resists) rear wheel rotation, which is needed when the suspension compresses from passenger weight loading/unloading.

What you're hearing is the rear brake pads squeaking from slight movement in the drums because of the wheelbase change. Pull it tight enough and there's no movement, therefore no squeak.

The noise isn't hurting anything.

 

Yea dude that's just the pads trying to readjust while you sit on your car. Try loosing some weight or just let the pads get a little worn out

 

Mine does the same thing, and so did my 2013. I tried this in both cars, in neutral on a steep hill, and it will hold with just moderate pressure. However, I always stop, pull the brake as firmly as I can, and then shift to P (or R with the 2013 manual.) Still creaks when I get out.

 

i would agree its not a huge problem, my other car 99 protege does this. its a bit early for this "old age"? problem though.

 

The creaking sound is the rear drums engaging when on a hill. It prevents the car from rolling backwards when on an incline. It's called hillstart assist. Completely normal

 

Ummm.... hillstart assist has nothing to do with the breaks creaking (normal) when getting out of a stopped parked car on an incline....just saying...think about it