What Happens If I Drive With My Emergency Brake On

What Happens If I Drive with My Emergency Brake On? A Comprehensive Guide

Driving with your emergency brake engaged can lead to a range of problems, from minor inconvenience to serious damage to your vehicle. This comprehensive guide explores the potential consequences, helping you understand why it's crucial to always disengage your parking brake before driving.

What happens when you drive with the emergency brake on? The immediate effect will be increased resistance, making it harder to accelerate. You'll likely feel a dragging sensation, and your vehicle's speed will be significantly reduced. This can be dangerous, especially in situations requiring quick acceleration, like merging onto a highway or avoiding an obstacle. The severity depends on several factors including the type of vehicle, the condition of the brake system, and the level of engagement of the parking brake.

Mechanical Damage and Wear & Tear

Driving with the parking brake engaged puts excessive strain on various components of your vehicle. Here’s what can happen:

• Overheating Brakes: The rear brakes, primarily responsible for engaging the emergency brake, will overheat significantly. Excessive heat can warp brake rotors, damage brake pads, and even lead to brake failure. This is a serious safety hazard.
• Transmission Damage: Depending on your vehicle's transmission type (automatic or manual), driving with the emergency brake engaged can cause excessive wear and tear on the transmission. This could lead to costly repairs in the long run. Automatic transmissions may experience slipping or shuddering, while manual transmissions might experience difficulty shifting gears.
• Drive Shaft Damage: The added stress on the drivetrain can also damage the drive shaft. This is particularly true for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, where the emergency brake directly impacts the rear axle.
• Tire Damage: The constant friction from dragging the brakes can lead to uneven tire wear, potentially shortening the lifespan of your tires and compromising traction.
• Brake Cable and Components: The emergency brake cable and related components can stretch or snap due to the prolonged tension. This will render your emergency brake inoperable, leaving you without a critical safety feature.

Driving Difficulties and Safety Risks

Beyond mechanical damage, driving with the parking brake engaged presents considerable safety risks:

• Reduced Acceleration: Your vehicle will accelerate much more slowly, hindering your ability to merge safely into traffic or react quickly in emergency situations.
• Difficult Steering: The dragging effect can make it harder to control your vehicle's steering, especially at low speeds.
• Increased Stopping Distance: While counterintuitive, the added friction on the rear wheels can make it difficult to stop suddenly and safely.
• Smell of Burning Brakes: The most apparent sign of a problem. A burning smell emanating from your wheels means the brakes are overheating and immediate action is required.

What to Do If You Accidentally Engage the Emergency Brake While Driving

If you accidentally engage your parking brake while driving, do not panic. Gently release the lever or button. If the brake doesn't release immediately, pull over to a safe location and try again. If it remains engaged, seek professional assistance.

In conclusion: Driving with the emergency brake engaged is dangerous and can lead to significant mechanical damage and safety hazards. Always ensure that your parking brake is disengaged before driving. Regularly inspect your braking system and address any issues promptly to maintain safety and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Prevention is always better than a costly repair.