Q: How do you use the parking brake?
How do you use the parking brake?
Your car is equipped with a parking brake that should be used in almost all parking situations, even if you’re parking on what seems to be a flat, level surface. In addition, you’ll need to make sure you’re applying it properly. Just follow these brief steps:
Put your foot on the brake pedal.
Pull up on the parking brake handle.
Lift the handle as far as you can.
Put the car in park.
Take your foot off the brake pedal.
Turn off the engine.
To release the parking brake:
Put your foot on the brake pedal.
Crank the engine.
Press the Release button at the end of the parking brake lever while lifting up slightly.
Lower the lever completely.
Make sure the Brake light in the dash goes out.
Put the car in gear.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
If a Car Hose Is Kinked, Can I Still Use It?
In some cases the hose is still usable, in others a kink will damage it and it will need to be replaced. Regardless of the damaged caused to the hose, a kink in a hose will cause adverse effects on...
Jeep Cherokee XJ has vibration noise when laying off gas
You'll want to pray that it is just a bad driveshaft universal joint. You can check this by jacking it up in the air, crawling under there and grabbing the shafts. You will then pull on them, and if there...
Vibration coming from wheel and brake pedal when I'm idle
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2005 Scion xA. You need to check the brake booster to see if it has a vacuum leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-a-vacuum-leak) in the check valve or booster when you are pressing on the brakes....
Transmissions won't go at stoplights
Hello and thanks for your question. The transmission clutches inside the transmission is slipping due to the seals being old and brittle. The transmission you have is an AODE Ford transmission. The pump will pressure up to 300 psi and...
Can you drive on 3 lug nuts
Hey there, thanks for writing in. All of the lug nuts are necessary (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-a-missing-lug-nut). Leaving even one off could result in warping of the brake rotors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-rotor-disc-replacement) or drums (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-drum-replacement), necessitating their replacement. If two are left off that puts...
Why do I smell gas in the car?
There could be several reason why your car is smelling like gas. Your car's spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) could be very worn out and not firing properly, causing the gas not to be burned properly and creating a gas smell in...
Coolant compatibility in f350.
Hello. I am not sure why they put Dexcool into your cooling system. Your truck requires the specific Ford coolant due to the design of the engine. There really is no reason why Dexcool should have been used, and if...
How expensive is it to repair a timing chain in 2002 Altima 3.5?
Hi there. Check the engine light and see what codes are stored or pending in the computer (ECM). For the oil leak, look around to find where the leak is coming from. If the leak is coming from the top...
Clutch pedal in Toyota pickup goes to the floor
When the clutch pedal is applied in a system such as yours, a piston is actuated in the clutch master cylinder, forcing fluid to act upon the pushrod of the slave cylinder. The slave cylinder's pushrod then activates the clutch...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a great choice for any car enthusiast who needs a practical but fun car for everyday driving. The Jetta TDI (which stands for turbocharged direct injection) has a whole host of features to...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Audi A6
The The 2012 Audi A6 provides the perfect combination of comfort and power. The contemporary design answers the need for great options and plenty of tech for today’s younger drivers that aren’t quite ready for those early bird discounts. Key...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver
Are Are you thinking of becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft? That could be an exciting career change – you’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people, and if you love to drive, what better way to spend...
Browse other content
Services
Maintenance