The Parking Brake

Published by DriveSmartBC -
Equipment
Stopping

image of a hand on the parking brakeThinking back over my years of doing mechanical inspections at the roadside, one of the most common deficiencies in older vehicles was a parking brake that was either seriously out of adjustment or didn't function at all.

Parking Brake or Emergency Brake?

Also known as an emergency brake, this mechanical alternative to your hydraulic braking system really has two jobs: providing emergency braking in the event of brake failure and holding your vehicle stationary when it is parked. Will yours be up to the job?

Not as Capable as the Hydraulic Brakes

The hydraulic braking system of modern vehicles is highly reliable with proper maintenance. It is actually two separate braking circuits that provide redundant braking if one half of the system were to fail. The parking brake is much less capable, even when it is in proper working order. Let it fall into disrepair and you cannot expect it to be much help when you finally do call on it in a dire emergency.

Don't Panic and Jam it On

Many drivers don't realize that the parking brake acts on the rear wheels only and this can result in exciting consequences. The end of your vehicle with the locked wheels is the end that wants to be first. Apply the parking brake immediately with full force and you could find yourself zooming along facing backwards! Always apply the parking brake carefully in an emergency stopping condition.

On Your Driver's Test

Scheduled for a driver's test? Remember your parking brake. If you don't apply it when you park and release it before you proceed, expect demerit marks on the test result. A defensive driver will always apply the parking brake, even when leaving the vehicle parked on level ground.

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Published by brucepattinson (not verified) - 2009/09/17 - 07:56 | Permalink

Like most things if you do not use it ever. It will not work.
But if you use it all the time, then it will always work.

Published by Butchart - 2025/04/27 - 14:58 | Permalink

I first learned to drive in the hilly town of Nelson BC.  I always used the emergency-park brake and to this day still use it even on level ground.  I took my driver's test under a tough but fair driver examiner, always remembered his name...Smokey Miller.  Might add one thing more here. When parking facing up hill one should have their vehicle wheels turned to the left and facing downhill wheels to the right.  Bet not many drivers use this rule.