How Do Parking Brakes Work?

The parking brake is also known as the hand brake. It comprises of a lever mechanism that is applied to keep a vehicle in a parked position. It sets into motion the braking components at the rear of the vehicle's braking system.

After the normal service brakes stop the moving vehicle, it is the parking brakes that hold it in a stationary position. Parking brakes are incorrectly referred to as "emergency brakes."  Do not think of parking brakes as an alternative to the service brakes applied to stop the vehicle.  The stopping power from parking brakes is considerably lesser compared to the one applied from service brakes.

Most parking brake systems make use of service brake shoes or disc pads. Small and medium sized vehicles use a hand-operated parking brake lever mounted in the console between the front seats. You have to pull the level up to set the brakes into effect.  Medium sized trucks use the hydraulic service brakes as parking brakes. When the service brakes are applied to stop the vehicle, an electric solenoid starts to function, which closes the hydraulic lines between the wheels and master cylinders. As a result, all the wheels are locked. You have to release the service brake pedal to unlock the wheels.