Most electric parking brake equipped vehicles work the same way as do ones with a convention parking brake systems. The main difference is an electric motor actuates the cable or piston to engage the parking brake. Most motorist seldom use their parking brakes. It is a required safety device and must work properly when called upon to keep ta vehicle stationary in an emergency situation.
Parking Brake System
The electronic parking brake became commonplace in the early 2000’s. There are two variations of the system equipped on most vehicles with an electronic parking brake configuration. In the more-traditional ‘cable pulling’ type, an electric motor simply pulls the emergency brake cable rather than a mechanical handle in the cabin. A more complex configuration uses two units with a computer controlled motor. Each unit is attached to the rear brake calipers to activate the brake caliper piston when commanded to hold the vehicle stationary.
The experts at Hollenshade’s in Towson can address any problems you may experience with your vehicle’s parking brake system. Please CONTACT US for an appointment or to ask us a question about you vehicle’s brakes.
Electric Parking Brake
Why the parking brake?
The main function of the paring brake is to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is parked. PARK serves the same purpose in vehicles with automatic transmissions as leaving a manual transmission in gear. So, to many people, the parking brake seems redundant. Even so, it should be exercised/used periodically. The parking brake also has a secondary purpose. It’s also an emergency brake. If both hydraulic circuits were to fail, the driver can always yank on the parking brake to slow the vehicle down. The stopping power provided by the rear brakes is marginal, but better than nothing.
What if a parking brake is never used?
When the parking brake is seldom used, one of two tings can happen: it may stick and not release when applied, or it may allow brake pedal travel to increase. Using the parking brake helps keep the cables freed up so corrosion can’t build up and cause the cables to bind. Applying the parking brake also works the self-adjusters in the rear brakes and helps keep the linings in drum brakes properly adjusted for minimum pedal travel. On cars with four-wheel disc brakes and locking rear calipers, using the parking brake keeps the threaded self-adjusting mechanisms inside the rear caliper pistons working freely to compensate for pad wear.
Electronic Parking Brakes, Looking Forward
It is expected that these systems will incorporate other features in the future. Some automakers already have a system where the emergency brake initiates when the car stops and then turns off as soon as the gas pedals is depressed. On vehicles equipped with a manual transmission especially, this prevents the vehicle from rolling downhill when undesired.
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