How do you manually turn off the parking brake?
To manually turn off the parking brake, you need to locate the parking brake lever or pedal in your vehicle and release it. This is a straightforward process that can be done quickly and easily. In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to manually turn off the parking brake.
Locating the Parking Brake
The parking brake is typically located either on the floor near the driver's seat or on the dashboard. It may be a lever, a pedal, or a button, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Consult your owner's manual if you're unsure of the exact location of the parking brake in your car.
Steps to Manually Turn Off the Parking Brake
- Identify the parking brake lever, pedal, or button in your vehicle.
- Apply firm pressure to the parking brake lever or pedal to release it.
- If your vehicle has a parking brake button, press it to disengage the brake.
- Ensure that the parking brake is fully released by checking that the indicator light on your dashboard is no longer illuminated.
Once the parking brake is disengaged, you can safely move your vehicle. Remember to always apply the parking brake when you park your car to prevent it from rolling away.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you're having trouble manually turning off the parking brake, there are a few things you can try:
- Check for any obstructions or debris that may be preventing the parking brake from releasing properly.
- Ensure that the parking brake cable is not stuck or damaged.
- If the parking brake is still not releasing, consult a professional mechanic for assistance.
Manually turning off the parking brake is a simple task that can be done quickly and easily. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your vehicle is ready to hit the road safely.
How to disengage the parking brake manually?
To manually disengage a parking brake, you'll need to use the method appropriate for your car's brake type. For a lever-based brake, pull the release handle while pressing the pedal down firmly. For a button-based brake, pull and hold the manual release switch while pressing the brake pedal. If the cable is broken on a lever system, you may need to find and pull a small release lever under the dash, or in some cases, rock the lever arm on the brake caliper itself, as seen in this YouTube video.
For a lever-based parking brake
This video demonstrates how to manually release a stuck parking brake lever: 27sDespair RepairYouTube · Aug 27, 2023
- Press the brake pedal: Apply firm pressure to the regular brake pedal to prevent the car from moving.
- Pull the release handle: Locate the release lever, often near the dashboard, and pull it to release the brake. Some vehicles may require you to pull up on the handbrake lever slightly before pressing the release button, notes this YouTube video.
- If the cable is broken: You may be able to manually disengage the brake by finding a small release lever or by using a tool to move the lever on the rear brake caliper, according to JustAnswer.
For an electronic parking brake (EPB)
- Use the manual switch: While the ignition is on, pull and hold the EPB switch and press the regular brake pedal at the same time to release it, explains Fender Bender.
- If the battery is dead: You can release the brake by following the steps above for a lever-based system, by using the manual release lever under the dash, or by following specific instructions for your vehicle, such as disconnecting the motor and using a tool to manually retract the piston, as shown in this YouTube video and this YouTube video.
What happens if you accidentally leave the parking brake on?
If you leave the parking brake on, you can expect poor performance, increased fuel consumption, and damage to your vehicle's braking system due to excessive heat and friction. This can cause brake pads to wear out rapidly, brake fluid to overheat, and rotors or drums to warp. Symptoms include a sluggish car, a burning smell, and a lit brake warning light on the dashboard.
This video explains what happens when you drive with the handbrake on: 54sMaxTheCarGuyYouTube · Feb 7, 2024
Immediate effects
- Sluggishness: The car will feel slow and heavy as the brakes resist motion.
- Burning smell: Friction from the dragging brakes will create heat, leading to a burning odor, and you may even see smoke.
- Warning lights: A brake warning light will likely appear on your dashboard, indicating a problem.
Potential damage
- Brake wear: The constant friction will rapidly wear down brake pads and linings.
- Warped components: Over time, the extreme heat can cause brake rotors or drums to warp.
- Brake fluid issues: Excessive heat can transfer to the brake fluid, causing it to boil, which severely compromises braking performance and can lead to total brake failure.
- Component failure: The heat and stress can cause other parts of the braking system to fail or crack.
This video shows what happens when you drive with the electronic parking brake on: 1mAutoVlogYouTube · Jan 2, 2017
What to do
- Pull over immediately: If you notice symptoms, pull over safely as soon as possible and disengage the parking brake.
- Get your brakes inspected: Even if you only drive a short distance, have a mechanic check your brakes for any potential damage before driving again.
- Check the brake light: If the light is still on after you've disengaged the brake, there is likely a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed.
This video shows what can happen to your car if you don't use your emergency brake, which is related to the topic of using the parking brake while driving: 58sHelpful DIYYouTube · Aug 18, 2018
What do I do if my parking brake won't turn off?
What to Do If Your Emergency Brake is Stuck
- Turn On the Car. Before anything else, turn on your car to allow it to warm up.
- Rev the Engine. You can try carefully revving your vehicle's engine.
- Try Disengaging It Again.
- Apply and Release the Brake Again.
- Alternate Between Drive and Reverse.
How to disable parking brakes?
To release the parking brake, first ensure the vehicle is secure by keeping your foot on the brake pedal and the car in park or neutral. Then, use the specific method for your vehicle's brake type: press the button and pull up the handbrake lever, press down on the foot-operated pedal, or push the electric parking brake button.
For a traditional handbrake lever
- Press the button on the end of the lever.
- While holding the button, pull the lever up slightly if it's stuck, then lower it completely to disengage it.
This video demonstrates how to release a foot-operated parking brake: 38sHelpful DIYYouTube · Aug 30, 2022
For a foot-operated parking brake
- Press the brake pedal firmly to disengage the tension.
- On some vehicles, a second press is needed. Pushing down on the pedal engages it, and a second push disengages it.
- On other vehicles, you may need to pull a release handle located near the dashboard while pressing the pedal down again.
You can watch this video to learn how to release a parking brake with a broken release handle: 52sSimple TasksYouTube · Nov 3, 2024
For an electric parking brake (EPB)
- Press the brake pedal and push the button or switch to release it.
- Some EPBs will also release automatically when you press the accelerator pedal, provided your seatbelt is fastened and the gearshift is in a drive gear.
This video shows how to use the electric parking brake with auto brake hold: 54sHondaYouTube · Jun 28, 2022
