How do you activate parking brake?

In short, you activate the parking brake by either pulling a traditional lever, pressing a dedicated parking brake button, or using a floor-mounted pedal—depending on your vehicle. Most modern cars now use an electronic parking brake that you engage with a switch and release automatically when you start to move.

Traditional handbrake lever (mechanical)

This is the classic setup found in many older and some current models. The handbrake provides a direct mechanical connection to the rear brakes and is especially useful on steep hills or when you want a simple, tactile way to secure the car.

Engage the handbrake using these steps:

• Come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the foot brake.


• Pull the handbrake lever upward with a steady, confident motion until you feel a firm resistance.


• If your car has a two-stage lever, set it firmly into the fully engaged position.


• Look for the parking brake indicator on the dash to confirm it’s engaged.

Concluding note: A properly engaged handbrake should prevent any noticeable movement on a slope. If you can gently nudge the car and it rolls, re-engage more firmly or seek service if the lever feels slack.

Release the handbrake with these steps:

• Keep your foot on the brake pedal, then press the release button on top of the lever (or the designated release mechanism).


• Lower the lever smoothly back to its rest position while continuing to apply light pressure on the brake pedal until it sits in the housing.


• Check that the dash indicator turns off and that the car remains stably parked once the lever is fully released.

Concluding note: If the lever feels loose or the car creeps after release, have the system checked by a technician. Always confirm the vehicle is stationary before leaving the seat.

Notes on safety and on inclines

On very steep grades, test the engagement gently by attempting a slow forward movement with the brake applied to ensure the car is secure. Use the handbrake in addition to the service brake on challenging inclines for extra security.

Electronic parking brake (EPB)

Many newer vehicles use an electronic parking brake operated by a switch or button. EPB systems replace the mechanical lever with an electronic control that actuates the rear brakes. They often come with auto-hold or hill-start assist features to improve convenience and safety.

Engage EPB with these steps:

• Stop the car and keep the vehicle stationary using the regular service brakes if needed for safety.


• Press or pull the EPB switch/button until the parking brake indicator lights up, signaling that the brakes are engaged.


• If equipped, enable auto-hold so the car stays in place after you release the brake pedal when stopped on level ground or at a crawl.

Concluding note: The exact operation can vary by model. Always check your owner’s manual for the precise control and indicator behavior specific to your vehicle.

Release EPB (common methods):

• For many cars, simply press the EPB button again or lightly press the accelerator pedal to trigger auto-release as you begin to move.


• If auto-release isn’t active or you’re in a situation where the car won’t move, press the accelerator while the brake pedal is applied and the EPB will disengage.


• In some systems, you release by lifting the foot off the brake and applying a touch of throttle—rest assured the system will disengage as you drive away.

Concluding note: Always verify that the parking brake is fully released before attempting to move. If the EPB indicator stays on or you hear unusual noises, have the system inspected promptly.

Auto-hold and hill-start considerations

Many EPB-equipped vehicles offer auto-hold, which keeps the brakes engaged at a stop even after you lift off the brake pedal. On hills, EPB and auto-hold can work together with hill-start assist to help prevent rollback, but you should still be prepared to use a traditional brake or the parking brake for additional security on very steep grades.

What to know if your vehicle uses a nonstandard setup

Some older or specialty vehicles may have a left-hand foot pedal or other unconventional configurations. The basic principles—secure the car when parked, release before moving, and rely on indicators—remain the same. If you’re unsure, consult the owner’s manual or a dealer for model-specific instructions.

Summary

Parking brakes come in three common forms: the traditional manual handbrake lever, a floor-mounted foot pedal in some older models, and the modern electronic parking brake operated by a switch. Engage by pulling the lever, pressing the EPB switch, or pressing the foot pedal, depending on your vehicle. Release methods vary as well, with most EPBs offering auto-release when you start to move. Always verify that the brake is fully released before driving away and consult your manual for model-specific steps and indicators.

How to engage the parking brake in an automatic car?

To use the parking brake in an automatic car, press the foot brake and engage the parking brake (by pulling a lever, pressing a button, or pushing a pedal) before shifting the transmission into "Park". Releasing the brake pedal after shifting into "Park" ensures the vehicle's weight rests on the transmission's parking pin, preventing strain.
 
This video demonstrates the correct sequence for parking an automatic car on a slight incline: 57sAround The HomeYouTube · Jun 7, 2022
Detailed steps

1. Come to a complete stop. 
2. Press down firmly on the foot brake pedal. This is a crucial safety step, especially if parking on a hill. 
3. Engage the parking brake. This will be done by: 
   • Pulling a lever. 
   • Pushing a button (often labeled "P" or with a parking brake symbol). 
   • Pressing a pedal. 
4. Shift the gear selector into "Park" (P). 
5. Release the foot brake pedal. The parking brake should now hold the car's weight. 
6. Turn off the engine. 

For parking on hills

• Use a more specific sequence: Some experts recommend a slightly different order for maximum protection, especially on slopes:
  1. Stop the car with your foot on the brake.
  2. Engage the parking brake.
  3. Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
  4. Gently release the foot brake to let the parking brake hold the car's weight.
  5. Firmly reapply the foot brake.
  6. Shift the transmission into "Park" (P).
  7. Turn off the engine.
• This method avoids putting stress on the transmission's parking pin by using the parking brake to hold the vehicle's weight before it is locked in "Park". 

This video explains the correct parking technique for automatic cars on an incline: 1mDriving TVYouTube · Sep 29, 2024
Releasing the parking brake 

• Before you start driving, always release the parking brake. 
• To release it, press the foot brake, shift to "Drive" (D), and then disengage the parking brake by using the lever, button, or pedal accordingly. 
• For electric parking brakes, you may also need to push the button down while holding the brake pedal to disengage it. 
• Note: Many modern automatic cars have an automatic parking brake release feature that engages when you accelerate, so check your car's manual to see if this applies to you. 

When to engage the parking brake?

You should engage the parking brake every time you park, regardless of whether the ground is flat or sloped. For the safest method, apply the parking brake before putting the car in "Park" to reduce stress on the transmission and to prevent wear and tear.
 
This video demonstrates the correct sequence of engaging the parking brake and shifting gears: 36sOctane StreetYouTube · May 3, 2024
Step-by-step guide

1. Stop the car: Use the regular brake pedal to come to a complete stop. 
2. Engage the parking brake: Apply the parking brake firmly. 
3. Shift to park: With the parking brake engaged, shift the car into "Park" (or into gear for a manual transmission). 
4. Release the foot pedal: Now you can take your foot off the regular brake pedal, and the parking brake will hold the car. 

Benefits of using the parking brake every time

• Provides a backup: It acts as a safety net in case the transmission's parking mechanism fails. 
• Reduces transmission wear: By taking the strain off the transmission's parking pawl, it helps prevent long-term damage and repairs, especially on hills. 
• Prevents rolling: It adds extra stability to prevent rolling, even if the car is bumped while parked. 
• Keeps it in good working order: Regular use prevents the brake cables from seizing up due to rust. 

This video explains the benefits of using the parking brake every time you park: 53sHelpful DIYYouTube · Jun 3, 2020

How to tell if the parking brake is on?

You can tell if the parking brake is on by checking for a red brake warning light on your dashboard, listening for a beeping sound, or by the car's struggle to move. For lever-style brakes, you can also physically check if the lever is pulled up and for electronic brakes, you can see if a button is engaged or hear a noise as it engages.
 
Check the dashboard 

• Look for the warning light: Most vehicles have a dashboard light that illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. This is often a circled "P" symbol or the letters "BRAKE". 
• Listen for a beep: Some cars will make a beeping sound, similar to a seatbelt reminder, to let you know the parking brake is on. 

Check the brake mechanism 

• Lever-style parking brake: If you have a hand lever, it will physically be in an upward position. For older vehicles with a foot pedal, the pedal will be pushed down. 
• Electronic parking brake: If you have an electronic button on the dashboard or center console, it will typically be in the "on" position or will illuminate when engaged. 
• Listen for a noise: When an automatic electronic parking brake engages after you shift into park, you may hear a noise, and if you manually engage it, there may be an audible click. 

Check the car's response

• Attempt to drive slowly: If the car is struggling to move, the parking brake is likely engaged. This is a good way to confirm the warning lights are not the only indicator. 
• Park on a hill: To test if the brake is working correctly, park on a slight incline. If you release the regular brake and the car doesn't move, the parking brake is engaged. If it starts to roll, the brake is not fully engaged or is faulty. 

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How to activate the parking brake?

To activate the parking brake, first come to a complete stop with your foot on the brake pedal. Then, engage the parking brake by pulling the lever, stepping on the pedal, or pressing the button, depending on your vehicle's type. After engaging the parking brake, shift your car into "park" or "gear" and then release the foot brake.
 
This video demonstrates how to engage the parking brake in different car models: 55sehowautoYouTube · May 21, 2015
For a lever-style parking brake

1. Press the brake pedal with your foot and come to a complete stop. 
2. Pull the parking brake lever upwards until it locks into place. 
3. Shift the car into "park" (for automatic transmission) or "gear" (for manual transmission). 
4. Slowly release the foot brake to ensure the car holds steady. 

For a foot-pedal parking brake

1. Press the brake pedal with your foot and stop the car. 
2. Press down on the parking brake pedal until it clicks and engages. 
3. Shift the car into "park" (for automatic transmission) or "gear" (for manual transmission). 
4. Slowly release the foot brake to ensure the car holds steady. 

For an electronic parking brake

1. Stop the car and keep your foot on the brake pedal.
2. Press the electronic parking brake button or switch.
3. Shift the car into "park" (for automatic transmission) or "gear" (for manual transmission).
4. Release the foot brake. 

You can watch this video to learn how to use an electronic parking brake: 59sHelpful DIYYouTube · Jun 18, 2018