brake-repair-3

It is important to be aware of the braking system for your vehicle. Part of this also includes the parking brake. The parking brake or also known as the emergency brake mechanism on your vehicle, is a device that when it is applied it contracts the rear pads and holds the weight of the vehicle by the rear brakes. It is important to use the parking brake every time the vehicle is parked and left unoccupied. The parking brake can be found to the left of your brake pedal on the floorboard or it can also be located near the center consul or shifter, depending on the make and model of your car. Often time the parking brake is used while parking on an inclined surface. The parking brake helps keep the car in place and not move.

 

If you do happen to drive with the parking brake on, you can cause wear to the linings of the main brakes for the vehicle. The moving wheel causes friction when the brake is applied, wearing away the brake pads. There is also a possibility that the temperature of the engine will rise above safe levels because of the added friction that is additional when the pressure is there. If this does happen, a warning light that indicates a high engine temperature may alert you. If this is ignored, it can result in radiator damage, cracked head gasket, or many other things. You might notice a rubber smell that is given off from the braking system being pressed.

 

If you notice that your parking brake is not working as it should then the components of your parking brake may need to be cleaned because they could have corrosion on them. Vehicles that have a manual transmission use their parking brake a lot more. The parking brake should be used each time your vehicle is off and unoccupied. This helps for the safety for yourself, while also making sure the vehicle does not roll away. If you notice an issue with your parking brake, make sure to schedule an appointment so we can inspect the vehicle for you.