Have you ever had one of those mornings when you’re late for work and your car just won’t move?
You double-check everything: gear’s right, gas pedal feels fine, yet your car stubbornly stays put.
Chances are, your parking brake is stuck.
A stuck or failing parking brake is a serious safety hazard that can lead to expensive problems, so it’s best to act fast.
Not sure how to proceed?
Stick around to find out how your parking brake works, how to fix a stuck one, and some easy tricks to help it last longer.
This Article Contains
- What Is a Parking Brake?
- How Does a Parking Brake Work?
- What Are the Different Types of Parking Brakes?
- When Should You Use the Parking Brake?
- When Should You Not Use the Parking Brake?
- What Should You Do in Case of a Malfunctioning Parking Brake?
- 4 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Parking Brake In Good Condition
What Is a Parking Brake?
The parking brake (or hand brake) is designed to keep your car stationary or motionless when parked. For example, if you park your car, truck, or SUV on a steep hill and want to keep the vehicle from rolling down, you can engage the parking brake.
However, this wasn’t the only reason it was created.
Its original purpose was to act as a backup braking system that would bring your car to a halt when the primary hydraulic brakes failed. That’s why it is also called the emergency brake.
But modern-day parking brakes don’t have the same stopping power as hydraulic brakes. So the parking brake is now solely used to keep your car stationary.
This brings us to the next question:
How Does a Parking Brake Work?
Your parking brake exists and works independently of the vehicle’s primary brakes.
Unlike the regular brakes that rely on a hydraulic braking system, the emergency brake operates through a mechanical setup using levers and steel cables. When you engage the car’s parking brake, steel cables attached to the parking brake lever tighten.
The parking brake is built differently depending on whether your car has drum brakes, disc brakes, or electronic brakes.
Let’s check each one out.
A. Drum Brakes
In a drum brake system, the emergency brake cable pulls a lever that pushes the brake shoe against the brake drum on the rear wheel. This creates friction that stops the wheel from moving.
B. Disc Brakes
On a disc brake system, the parking brake cable activates a corkscrew mechanism, pushing the brake caliper piston outward. This forces the brake pad against the rear brake disc (or brake rotor), generating the friction needed to keep the wheel from turning.
Many vehicles, especially those with rear disc brakes, also use a separate setup called a “drum-in-hat” parking brake. In this design, the parking brake shoes are housed inside the center portion (the “hat”) of the disc brake rotor, which functions like a traditional drum. When the parking brake is engaged, the shoes press outward against the inside of this drum, generating the necessary friction.
C. Electronic Brakes
Modern cars have started using electronic parking brake systems. Instead of the parking brake lever and cable, an electric parking brake uses an electric switch and motor to stop wheel movement.
When you push the electric parking brake switch, an electric motor within each brake caliper of your rear disc brakes or drum brake assembly activates. This motor forces the parking brake shoe (or brake pads) against the rear brake’s drum (or disc) to restrict rear wheel motion.
NOTE: A parking pawl can also stop your car when you shift the transmission gear (in an automatic transmission) into “Park.” It locks a small pin into a wheel inside the transmission to hold the car still. However, the parking pawl isn’t strong enough to hold the full weight of the car on a slope. So, always use the parking brake to stay safe and protect your transmission.
Now that you know how the parking brake or emergency brake works, let’s take a look at the various types of parking brakes available.
What Are the Different Types of Parking Brakes?
Generally, you’ll come across these four types of parking brakes:
A. Center Lever
The center lever parking brake (or handbrake) is the most common type of emergency brake. It consists of a lever located between the two front seats of your vehicle.
To engage a center lever parking brake, you just need to pull the parking brake lever up. To disengage the handbrake, press the button at the end of the lever and push the lever down.
B. Foot Pedal
A foot pedal parking brake system (or foot brake) has a small pedal located to the left of the driver’s footwell. The footwell is the space below the steering wheel that houses the clutch pedal (in a manual transmission vehicle), regular brake pedal, and accelerator pedal.
To activate the foot brake, press down on the parking brake pedal until you hear a click sound that indicates your parking brake is engaged. To release the foot brake, locate the lever right above the brake pedal and pull it.
C. Push Button
The push-button parking brake (found in vehicles that use an electric parking brake system) is the easiest to use. Simply push the electronic parking brake button on your vehicle’s console to activate the emergency brake. To release the electric parking brake, press the button once again.
D. Stick Lever
A stick lever emergency brake, typically found in an older vehicle, is mounted beneath the instrument panel. To engage or release the brake, you pull or push the lever, which operates a cable system to activate the rear brakes. These are becoming less common in modern cars.
Regardless of the type, it’s essential to know when and why you should engage your emergency brake.
When Should You Use the Parking Brake?
Here are some scenarios where you should use your parking brake:
- When parking your car: Use the parking brake every time you park, whether you’re on a hill or flat ground.
- At a traffic signal: If you’re at a red light for a while, using the handbrake helps prevent your car or truck from rolling forward if you’re rear-ended.
- When your primary brakes fail: If your regular brakes stop working, the emergency brake can help slow your car down. In this situation, apply the emergency brake slowly and steadily to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. If you’re driving a manual car, press the clutch pedal at the same time as you use the handbrake.
- While changing a tire: Always apply the parking brake before changing a tire. It keeps your car stable and prevents it from rolling while it’s jacked up — keeping you safe.
Similarly, it is also important to know when not to engage your emergency brake.
When Should You Not Use the Parking Brake?
Here are also some situations where you should avoid using your hand brake:
A. While Driving
Never use the parking brake while the car is moving, unless the service brakes fail. Using it while driving can cause your wheels to suddenly lock, which might make you skid or lose control, especially at higher speeds.
Also, if you accidentally leave the parking brake on and start driving, it creates constant friction in the brake system. That friction builds up heat in the rear brake pads, rotors, calipers and brake fluid, affecting performance.
B. In Slippery Conditions
It’s best to avoid using the parking brake during rain, snow, or icy weather. When you pull the parking brake, it usually locks the rear wheels. On slick roads, this sudden lock-up can cause your car to skid or spin, leading to a dangerous loss of control.
However, even when you take all the necessary precautions, your parking brake can still act up.
What next, then?
Let’s explore.
What Should You Do in Case of a Malfunctioning Parking Brake?
A parking brake can malfunction in several ways, including:
- Failing to engage or release
- Feeling loose or overly tight
- Showing electronic error messages (in vehicles with an EPB system).
While trying and fixing the locked-up parking brake on your own can be tempting, it’s not advisable. Without the right tools and proper expertise, you may be unable to diagnose and fix your parking brake problem properly.
So, if you’ve got a stuck parking brake, get it fixed ASAP by a professional.
The mechanic will first try to disengage the brake by releasing the lever, foot pedal, or button (based on the type of brake you have). If these steps don’t release the parking brake, they will examine the system more closely.
Here are the steps they’ll follow depending on whether you have a mechanical or an electronic parking brake:
A. Mechanical Systems
To repair a mechanical parking brake system, a technician will:
- Jack up the car and remove the wheels to access the parking brake components.
- Check the emergency brake cable for rust, corrosion, or fraying, and determine if it needs adjustment or replacement.
- Inspect moving parts such as pivots or levers to ensure nothing is seized or excessively worn.
- If the cable is fine, use a wire brush or rust remover to remove any rust or corrosion. The mechanic will then apply lubricant to the cables and pivot points to reduce friction and allow smooth movement.
- Clean and lubricate the threads on the cable adjuster to facilitate turning during adjustments.
- Back off the adjuster nut (usually located at the vehicle’s midpoint or near the parking brake lever) to introduce slack in the cable.
- Tighten the nut gradually until there is just enough tension to cause a slight drag on the rear wheels, indicating proper engagement.
- If your vehicle has drum brakes, adjust the parking brake shoes using a star wheel adjuster (located inside the drum).
B. Electronic Systems
For an electronic parking brake system, the mechanic will:
- Clean the area around the switch using an antibacterial wipe or a toothpick to dislodge any debris from between the button and its housing.
- Open the car hood to locate the specific fuse for the parking brake motor. Then, remove the fuse and examine it. If the metal wire inside looks broken or burnt, they’ll replace it.
- Use a scan tool to inspect the electronic parking brake motor to check if it is receiving power and responding to commands. If the motor is showing error codes, they’ll replace it with a compatible new unit.
- Reset the parking brake system by turning the vehicle off and disconnecting the negative battery terminal. Wait for a few minutes, then reconnect the terminal.
- Restart the vehicle to ensure that the error codes are clear. They might also take the car for a road test to confirm that everything else is working properly.
Want to avoid such repairs?
Routine maintenance of your parking brakes can save you from the hassle of fixing one.
Keep reading to know more.
4 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Parking Brake In Good Condition
Follow these best practices to help your parking brake last longer:
- Inspect it regularly: Check the handbrake components (cables, lever, and calipers) regularly for signs of wear, rust, or damage. Clear out dirt or debris that might affect how it works.
- Adjust the tension: Over time, the handbrake can loosen up. Refer to your car’s manual and adjust it as needed to ensure it holds properly.
- Keep it lubricated: Apply lubricant to the handbrake cables and pivot points to reduce friction and help everything move smoothly. However, be careful not to get any lubricant on the brake pads, shoes, or rotors, as this can reduce braking performance and compromise safety.
- Drive carefully: Avoid driving on rough roads as much as possible, as a strong impact from a pothole or curb can also damage your parking brake.
Solve Parking Brake Problems Without Leaving Your Driveway
A parking brake problem can pop up without warning and seriously derail your day. The last thing you want is to wrestle to an auto shop with a bad brake.
Thankfully, you don’t have to.
At AutoNation Mobile Service, our skilled mobile mechanics come straight to your driveway, fix the problem safely, and get you back on schedule.
We’re available seven days a week, offer upfront pricing, and back every repair with a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.
Reach out to us today for safe, reliable, and stress-free car repairs.