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ALL ABOUT YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

Driving-Pushing-Hazard-Button

Having to park your vehicle on a hill can be nerve wracking. Will your car be there when you return? Will it roll away? This isn’t something you want to leave to chance – you don’t want your vehicle to potentially be a danger to others.

Did you know that your vehicle is equipped with a safety system that, when activated, can help keep your vehicle in place? Read on to learn about your vehicle’s emergency brake and when it should be used.

WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE?

Driver-Pulling-Emergency-Brake

Part of your vehicle’s brake system, the emergency brake operates independently of the main brake system to keep your vehicle from rolling away. Also known as a parking brake, hand brake and e-brake, the emergency brake was originally designed to be used if the vehicle’s main braking system would fail. 

However, in today’s vehicles, the parking brake doesn’t have enough stopping power to bring the car to a halt. The parking brake now is mainly used to keep the vehicle in place when parked.

HOW DOES THE E-BRAKE WORK?

The emergency brake bypasses your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system to lock the wheels in place. This mechanical system uses cables that are attached to the emergency brake lever. When engaged on cars with drum brakes, the cables pull another lever that puts pressure on the brake shoes to hold the vehicle.

On cars with disc brakes, applying the parking brake activates a corkscrew mechanism that pushes a piston into the brake pads to stop the vehicle.

TYPES OF PARKING BRAKES

There are four main types of parking brakes that you may encounter:

Pedal-Icon

Pedal – The pedal emergency brake is a small pedal that is positioned on the floor and to the left of the gas, brake and clutch pedals. Press down on the pedal until you hear it click to engage it. Pull the lever above the foot pedal to release the brake.

Center-Lever-Icon

Center lever – Popular on late-model vehicles with bucket seats, this type of parking brake is found between the seats. Simply pull up the lever to engage the emergency brake. To release the brake, press the button on the end and push down on the stick.

Push-Button-Icon

Push button – Located with the other console controls, this typically is an electronic system. Engaging and releasing this type of parking brake is as easy as pushing the button on the console.

Stick-Lever-Icon

Stick lever – Found in many older vehicles, the stick lever emergency brake is commonly found under the instrument panel.

WHEN SHOULD I USE THE PARKING BRAKE?

Car-Parked-On-Hill

Many people have the misconception that you only need to use the parking brake if you park on a hill or if your vehicle has a manual transmission. The truth is that you should always use your parking brake. Whether you drive an automatic or a stick shift, or park on a hill or flat spot, using your emergency brake is good habit to develop.

Using the parking brake on a regular basis helps keep it in proper working order. When you don’t use the emergency brake, it can corrode and you won’t know there is a problem until you really need it.

By engaging the parking brake each and every time you park, you can be assured that your vehicle won’t roll away. It adds another level of security and reduces stress on the transmission and driveline parts.

If you do suffer a complete loss of your brakes, slowly apply the emergency brake. While your parking brake is mainly used to hold your car in place, it can help you safely bring your vehicle to a stop in an emergency situation. Just keep in mind that it won’t bring your vehicle to a sudden stop; it can just help you slowly bring it to a stop.

WHEN SHOULD I LAY OFF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE?

There is one situation you should never use your hand brake. While it’s fun to watch movies like The Fast & Furious and dream about doing those crazy tricks, leave the stunt driving to the professionals. Never use your hand brake to perform a drift maneuver.

Learn more about quality brake parts, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today.

The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.

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