Accidentally applied parking brake whilst driving
Discussion
So today whilst driving I went to turn my seat warmer off in my Mitsubishi PHEV and accidentally flicked the parking brake up, whilst travelling at circa 40, warning light came on immediately of course, felt a small jolt and quickly flicked it off again but now I’m terrified I may have harmed the car components. The car drove completely fine afterwards. When I parked back home I got a further fright when I applied the parking brake and a warning light came on with something like “auto hold cancelled”. I put the car into drive again and reapplied the parking brake. I must have flicked auto hold as well in my panic to disable the parking brake. I’ve never used this function but gather it’s fine to have switched on whilst driving. Realistically what are the chances of me having done any harm to my vehicle through this? I was planning to take to a garage tomorrow for a check up for peace of mind, but don’t want to go in armed with no knowledge! Thank you in advance
The parking brake is also the emergency brake, should your hydraulics fail (very rare) it acts as so you pull the switch and it's designed to bring the car to a halt. (I still think this is a poorer design than a mechanical hand brake.)
I don't know the setup in your car, but most OEMs systems are integrated, they will try to work to avoid damage (where it does not conflict with safety requirements).
Likely you've given the brakes a heat soke, worn your pads a little bit.
Possibly warped the discs (depends on duration).
Worst case you've damaged a sensor or the caliper actuator.
I don't know the setup in your car, but most OEMs systems are integrated, they will try to work to avoid damage (where it does not conflict with safety requirements).
Likely you've given the brakes a heat soke, worn your pads a little bit.
Possibly warped the discs (depends on duration).
Worst case you've damaged a sensor or the caliper actuator.
It is not a parking brake. It is a brake.
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Megaflow said:
It is not a parking brake. It is a brake.
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Why post the final sentence? The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
mac96 said:
I am surprised that no one has pointed out yet that the main purpose of a handbrake is for handbrake turns.... Or at least it was before electric ones!
Exactly this!!Many applications of the handbrake while moving when I was a yoof did no damage at all. The E-brake is pretty much the same old working parts but with electric motors and a nanny brain controlling things. Other than getting told off by the computer, the components should be totally unharmed.
Shambler said:
Megaflow said:
It is not a parking brake. It is a brake.
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Why post the final sentence? The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Megaflow said:
It is not a parking brake. It is a brake.
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Was there really a need to be snarky?The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Megaflow said:
Because the OP is asking a question about damaging the emergency/handbrake by using it while the car is moving. What would the OP do in a genuine emergency if the foot brake had failed? It terrifies me how many people drive a car with no understanding of how to properly operate it, and for some reason I cannot fathom, not knowing how to operate a car properly and/or not caring about how to is consider cool in this country.
FYI my first car brakes failed and I stopped it successfully without incident, whilst learning to drive. That was a manual. I took my test in a manual like most people. I now drive an automatic so it’s not exactly a stupid question to ask when I didn’t learn about the inner workings of an automatic car. Additionally, if I were needing to do an emergency stop clearly I’d be more concerned about preserving life and worry about any damage to my car afterwards. In this instance I clearly had no reason to apply it hence my primary concern was whether I had damaged my car. If the thought you expressed TERRIFIES you I suggest you stop in bed and never leave the house. Seriously. If you can’t be kind or helpful then stay silent. Thanks everyone else.
Butterfly88 said:
FYI my first car brakes failed and I stopped it successfully without incident, whilst learning to drive. That was a manual. I took my test in a manual like most people. I now drive an automatic so it’s not exactly a stupid question to ask when I didn’t learn about the inner workings of an automatic car. Additionally, if I were needing to do an emergency stop clearly I’d be more concerned about preserving life and worry about any damage to my car afterwards. In this instance I clearly had no reason to apply it hence my primary concern was whether I had damaged my car. If the thought you expressed TERRIFIES you I suggest you stop in bed and never leave the house. Seriously. If you can’t be kind or helpful then stay silent.
Thanks everyone else.
Yes, the amount of people on the road that have no clue how a car works does bother me, maybe terrifies is a bit over the top. It bothers me because I have to share the road with people like this.Thanks everyone else.
Shambler said:
Megaflow said:
It is not a parking brake. It is a brake.
The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
Why post the final sentence? The primary use these days is for parking, but that is because modern brakes are so reliable that is not needed during driving. The primary reason for it being fitted is a back up for use in emergencies if the foot brakes fail.
Serious question, when did you pass your test and how did you pass it not knowing this?
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