The parking brake or also known as the emergency brake mechanism on your car is a device that when it is applied it extends the rear shoes or contract the rear pads and holds the weight of the vehicle by the rear brakes. It is important to use the parking brake every time the vehicle is parked and left unoccupied. The parking brake can be found to the left of your brake pedal on the floorboard or it can also be located near the center consul or shifter, depending on the make and model of your car. Often time the parking brake is used while parking on an inclined surface. The parking brake helps keep the car in place and not move. Make sure to release the parking brake before driving after applying.
The Parking Brake can be Adjusted
Just as regular brakes need adjusting after a certain time, the parking brake does also. The most common problem with parking brakes on an automatic transmission is that the parking brake rarely gets used causing the brake cables to corrode. If you notice that your parking brake is not working as it should then the components of your parking brake may need to be cleaned to rid itself of any corrosion and dirt from not getting used. Vehicles that have a manual transmission use their parking brake a lot more. The parking brake should be used each time your car is off and unoccupied for your safety and so your car does not roll away.
Don’t Drive with the Parking Brake on
Driving with the parking brake on can present a potential problem for the brake system. If you do happen to drive with the parking brake on you can cause wear to the linings of the vehicle’s main brakes. The moving wheel causes friction when the brake is applied, wearing away the brake pad or disc. There is also a possibility that the engine’s temperature will rise above safe levels because of the added friction that is additional when such pressure is there. If this does happen a warning light that indicates a high engine temperature may alert you and you should shut off your vehicle immediately. If this is not addressed it can result in radiator damage, cracked head gasket, or many other things.
If there is an Issue, bring your Vehicle in
Your parking brake is an important safety feature on your car, which is why keeping it properly maintained is significant. You might also find that if you leave your car sit for an extended amount of time with the parking brake on it can get stuck. Using your parking brake on a regular basis will help make sure this does not happen. There is a cable that connects to the parking brake pedal or lever and this sometimes can get rusted, causing the other cables that make the parking brake to work to bind up and freeze. Parking brakes are an important safety feature on your car and it is smart to get in the habit of using it on a regular basis.