How to Use Dodge Truck Parking Brakes
by Daniel ValladaresThe parking brakes on your Dodge truck are useful when you are parked on a slope or hill and want an added safety mechanism for the vehicle. Using the parking brake is fairly simple, as a single lever will engage them. In order to release them, you simply pull the lever again. It takes only a few seconds to engage or disengage the parking brakes.
Step 1
Turn the engine of the truck off and locate the parking-brake pedal, which is below the lower left corner of the dashboard/instrument cluster.
Step 2
Press down with your foot on the parking-brake pedal. The instrument cluster's red brake-warning light will turn on to indicate that the parking brake has been applied.
Step 3
Pull the parking-brake release handle to release the brake. The brake release handle is located just above the parking-brake pedal and just below the lower left corner of the dashboard.
References
- "Chrysler Full-Size Trucks 1989-96 Repair Manual"; Haynes North America Inc; 1996
- "2000 Dodge Ram Owner's Manual"; Daimler Chrysler; 1999
- "2005 Dodge Ram Diesel 2500/3500"; DaimlerChrysler; 2004
Tips
- Always turn the front wheels toward the curb and apply the parking brake when parking your Dodge truck on a downhill slope.
Warnings
- Make sure that you press the parking-brake pedal all the way down to prevent any accidental rolling of your vehicle.
- Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before operating your vehicle.
Writer Bio
Daniel Valladares began his career as a medical writer in 2008. He has written patient education brochures for several pharmaceutical companies and has worked as an auto mechanic at Kim's Speedy Auto Service since 2007. Valladares holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rice University and is currently studying to become a personal trainer.
