What Is the Emergency Brake Control?

If your car has an automatic transmission, a parking pawl is engaged when you put your gear shifter into the park position. But when you are parked on an incline, or if your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, the mechanism that prevents your vehicle from moving is the parking brake (emergency brake).

An emergency brake/parking brake is engaged either by pulling up on a lever or by pressing down, by foot, on a pedal. It is then released by lowering the lever or pressing down, by foot, a second time. In both of these situations, the emergency brake/parking brake is connected to the rear brakes and locks them in place. This way the vehicle is not able to roll.

Common Signs And Symptoms That You Need To Replace Your Emergency Brake Control

• The hand brake lever or emergency brake pedal will not return to the disengaged position
• The emergency brake pedal or lever will not engage
• There is no resistance in the emergency brake pedal or lever when engaged or released

How Important Is This Service?

Maintaining the brakes is one of the most important safety features for any vehicle owner and is key to a vehicles upkeep for long term ownership. Unfortunately, brake maintenance is often overlooked by drivers. Maintaining the cars brake system can help to prevent costly repairs in the long run, and can keep the car in the best form to avoid a collision. Furthermore, if this damage is not addressed, it can progress to the point that the brakes are ineffective and might totally fail, putting the vehicle and its occupants in danger.