Why You Should Always Set the Parking Brake

Do you need to use the parking brake (also called the emergency or handbrake) every time you park your car, even if your car is an automatic? The answer is yes, and here is everything you need to know about the parking brake and why you should use it.

What you need to know about the parking brake

The parking brake is an essential component of your vehicle's safety system and it should be used on a regular basis - not just when the car is parked on a hill. While a parking brake is usually recognized as essential in a manual transmission vehicle, it should be considered just as important in an automatic transmission vehicle as well.

When a car with an automatic transmission is put into park, a device inside the transmission called a "parking pawl" engages. A parking pawl is a metal pin that engages into a notch ring that is attached to the transmission's output shaft. When engaged, the pawl restricts the transmission's output shaft from turning.

Unfortunately, parking pawls can break or possibly become dislodged. While this is not a common occurrence it can happen, and if it does your car may end up rolling down the street.

A parking brake on the other hand will hold the vehicle in place even if the parking pawl breaks or dislodges. The parking brake is a manual system that puts a stronger hold on the vehicle than simply putting it into park.

When it comes to manual transmissions, the parking brake is essential. Leaving a manual transmission in gear does not lock the vehicle in place, it simply makes it harder to move, but it can still roll away. The parking brake should be engaged every single time a manual transmission vehicle is parked.

How parking brakes work

The parking brake is a completely mechanical system that bypasses the hydraulic braking system to stop the car in an emergency or keep it in place when parked.

Steel cables are attached to the parking brake lever and when the lever is pulled the cables tighten, pulling another lever that compresses the brake shoes (on drum brakes) to stop the vehicle or hold it in place. On a disk brake system, when the parking brake lever is pulled, it engages a corkscrew device, which pushes a piston into the brake pads stopping the vehicle.

Parking brakes are also outfitted with a self locking mechanism so the parking brake will not release until the lever or in some cases the parking brake pedal is released.

Keep in mind

  • If the car is hit while parked the parking brake will provide stability to the vehicle, and in most cases will prevent it from rolling away.

  • It is best to engage the parking brake while the brake pedal is being depressed, before shifting into park this will reduce the strain on the parking pawl.

  • If the parking brake isn't used regularly, the cables, which are located under the car can corrode and get stuck in place. This can become a big problem, as you may not be able to use the brake or the cable will snap when you try to engage it.

  • Do not forget to disengage the parking brake before driving, as it can damage the entire braking system.


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Recent Parking / Emergency Brake does not work Inspection reviews

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Charles

35 years of experience
342 reviews
Charles
35 years of experience
BMW 528i L4-2.0L Turbo - Parking / Emergency Brake does not work - Austin, Texas
Charles was very nice, professional and helped figure out what my car needed in a quick and timely manner. Much appreciated!
Nissan Pathfinder - Parking / Emergency Brake does not work - Pflugerville, Texas
He was very knowledgeable. This my first time using this service and I was surprised by the professionalism of Charles

Tinashe

14 years of experience
781 reviews
Tinashe
14 years of experience
BMW 550i GT V8-4.4L Turbo - Parking / Emergency Brake does not work - Atlanta, Georgia
Tinashe arrived early to my house. He completed a full diagnostic of the problem in a timely manner. I would definitely recommend this technician and this company to anyone. Job well done.

Luis

19 years of experience
363 reviews
Luis
19 years of experience
Honda Fit L4-1.5L - Parking / Emergency Brake does not work - Passaic, New Jersey
Luis was great. He communicated with me about his arrival time, he was friendly and talked to me about my car like I was an intelligent person. Answered my questions. And fixed the problem! I live in a condo building and except in an emergency, we're not allowed to work on our cars in the gated parking lot or garage. Otherwise, I would book Luis for the follow-up work that he recommends. Thank you Luis!

James

27 years of experience
184 reviews
James
27 years of experience
Infiniti M45 V8-4.5L - Parking / Emergency Brake does not work - Nashville, Tennessee
Properly diagnosed and fix the problem that I was having with my car. He even cleaned the brakes when he didn't have to.

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