A parking brake can stick on after cold weather, a long period parked, or being applied very hard. Driving with it jammed on overheats the brakes, so it is safer to release it properly or have the car recovered.
What to try if the parking brake is stuck
- For an electronic parking brake, switch the ignition on, press the brake pedal and release the parking brake button. Repeat once if nothing happens.
- For a manual handbrake, pull it up firmly once more, then release it fully while pressing the button.
- In freezing weather the cable or brake shoes may be frozen. If it is safe, gently rocking the car in a low gear can free them, but stop if it does not release easily.
- Do not drive any distance with the brake binding. A burning smell or the car pulling to one side means it is still on.
- If it will not release, call for recovery. The car is lifted with skates so the locked wheels are not dragged.
Why parking brakes stick on
The usual causes are a seized cable, corrosion on the brake shoes after standing, ice in cold weather, or the brake being applied too hard. Once a brake has bound on, forcing the car can damage the shoes, disc or cable, so recovery on a flatbed is often the cleaner option.