Typically, when parking or stopping, vehicle owners should use the handbrake to keep it secure. However, experts recommend against doing so if the vehicle will be parked for an extended period.
Pulling the handbrake for a long time can cause the braking force from the brake pad to the disc to dent or become stuck and rusted… Therefore, if the vehicle is left unused for a long time on relatively flat terrain, the driver only needs to shift to the P mode (for automatic transmission) or gear 1 (for manual transmission) without using the handbrake. To be more cautious, the driver can use the wheel chock method to prevent slipping.
Do not pull the handbrake if the vehicle will be parked for an extended period.
If the handbrake has already been pulled and left for a long time, there is a high chance that the car’s brakes will be locked. Therefore, the driver needs to perform the following checks in place.
First, release the handbrake, start the engine in place, slowly step on the brake pedal, and then release the foot brake 10 – 15 times to circulate the brake fluid in the pipes and reactivate the brake piston.
Second, observe if the brake warning light is illuminated on the instrument panel, and ask someone outside the vehicle to check if the brake lights at the rear are lit, indicating whether the electrical/electronic functions of the brake system are operating normally or not.
Third, shift to the forward gear, gently press the accelerator pedal, and observe if the vehicle moves forward as usual. If there is a noticeable hesitation or the brake warning light illuminates within the first 100 – 200 meters of movement, it means the brakes are locked.
Once the brakes are locked, the only solution is to call a towing service to take the vehicle to the nearest garage for repair. Continuing to drive can potentially cause the brake pads to catch fire, emit smoke from the wheels, and damage the brake discs.
Source: VTC.vn
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