How do you turn off the parking brake on a Ford?

To turn off the parking brake on a Ford vehicle, you need to locate the parking brake release lever or button and disengage it. The specific steps may vary slightly depending on the Ford model, but the general process is the same.

Locating the Parking Brake Release

The parking brake release on a Ford is typically located near the driver's seat, either on the dashboard, center console, or on the floor. It may be a lever, button, or pedal, depending on the vehicle model.

• For Ford vehicles with a hand-operated parking brake, the release is usually a lever or button near the driver's seat.


• For Ford vehicles with a foot-operated parking brake, the release is typically a pedal on the floor near the driver's seat.

Consult your Ford owner's manual if you're unsure of the exact location of the parking brake release in your specific model.

Disengaging the Parking Brake

Once you've located the parking brake release, follow these steps to turn off the parking brake:

1. Firmly apply the foot brake to prevent the vehicle from moving.


2. Locate the parking brake release lever, button, or pedal.


3. Pull the lever up, press the button, or depress the pedal to disengage the parking brake.


4. Confirm that the parking brake indicator light on the dashboard is no longer illuminated, indicating that the parking brake is fully released.

If the parking brake is stuck or doesn't release easily, consult a Ford service technician for assistance.

How do I deactivate the parking brake?

To deactivate a parking brake, first press the brake pedal, then either pull a hand lever or press an electronic button. For a hand lever, press and hold the button on the handle while lifting it, or just pull it up. For an electronic brake, press the button on the dashboard, often found near the gear shift.
 
For a traditional hand brake
This video demonstrates how to release a traditional hand brake: 53ssubtledriverYouTube · Apr 28, 2021

1. Press down on the brake pedal with your foot. 
2. Push the button on the end of the parking brake lever. 
3. While holding the button, lift the lever up slightly to unlock it, then push it down into its rest position. 

For an electronic parking brake (EPB)
This video shows how to turn off the electronic parking brake: 58sCrazy Honda ChrisYouTube · Nov 14, 2025

1. Ensure the ignition is on. 
2. Press the brake pedal firmly with your foot. 
3. Find the electronic parking brake button, which often has a symbol like a "P" inside a circle with a cone. 
4. Press and hold the button to deactivate the brake. A message on the dashboard will often confirm the release. 

What do I do if my parking brake won't turn off?

What to Do If Your Emergency Brake is Stuck

1. Turn On the Car. Before anything else, turn on your car to allow it to warm up.
2. Rev the Engine. You can try carefully revving your vehicle's engine.
3. Try Disengaging It Again.
4. Apply and Release the Brake Again.
5. Alternate Between Drive and Reverse.

How do I turn off the parking brake in my Ford?

To turn off an electronic parking brake in a Ford, press the brake pedal, turn the ignition on, and then press the electric parking brake switch down. For a manual handbrake, pull the lever up until the button on the end is released, then lower the lever. 
For electronic parking brake

• Turn the ignition on: Make sure the vehicle's ignition is in the "ON" position, but not necessarily started. 
• Press the brake pedal: Place your foot firmly on the brake pedal. 
• Press the EPB switch: Push the electronic parking brake switch down to release the brake. 
• Pull away normally: If the parking brake is fully disengaged, you can then shift into gear and accelerate normally. The warning light on the instrument cluster should turn off. 

For manual handbrake

• Press the release button: Find the button on the end of the handbrake lever and press it. 
• Lower the lever: While holding the button down, slowly and gently lower the lever all the way down. 
• Check that it's released: The lever should be fully disengaged, and if there was a light on your dashboard for the handbrake, it should now be off. 

How to disengage the parking brake on a Ford F150?

To disengage the parking brake on a Ford F-150, press the brake pedal and then push the electronic parking brake switch down, or drive forward with the switch in the release position. For a manual override, shift into gear, press the accelerator, and hold the brake switch in the released position, then drive slowly to build torque and release the switch. 
Standard release

• With the ignition on, press and hold the brake pedal.
• Push the electronic parking brake switch down to disengage it.
• The red warning lamp on the dashboard will turn off. 

This video demonstrates the standard method for disengaging the parking brake: 1mDIY PintoYouTube · Jan 26, 2019
Automatic release

• Ensure the driver's door is closed and the transmission is in a forward or reverse gear.
• Press the accelerator pedal.
• The parking brake should disengage automatically as you drive away. 

Manual release (if needed)

• Turn the ignition to the "on" position.
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Shift into gear.
• Press the accelerator pedal to build torque.
• While holding the accelerator, pull the parking brake switch up and hold it.
• Slowly drive forward and release the switch once the engine has enough force to prevent the vehicle from rolling.