How to Check If Your Emergency Brake Works

Test your emergency brake on a hill with a slight decline.

Your emergency brake, also known as the parking brake, provides an important safety feature on your vehicle. When you park on a hill, the parking brake makes sure the car does not roll. In addition, if your car loses its brake, the parking brake can help bring your vehicle to a stop. You can perform a simple test to make sure your emergency brake is working.

Instructions

1. Drive your car to the top of a small hill. The hill needs to have only enough of a slope to allow your car to roll forward when your foot is not on the gas or brake pedal.

2. Stop your vehicle at the top of the hill, just as you start your descent. Put your car in neutral and take your foot off the brake pedal.

3. Pull up on your emergency brake once your car starts to roll down the hill. Your car should come to an abrupt stop. If your car does not stop almost immediately or does not stop at all, apply the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.

4. Take your car to a qualified mechanic to adjust your emergency brake system.

References

• Car Tips: Checking Your Emergency Brake
• Louisiana Department of Natural Resources: Parking Brakes and Fuel