When should you use the emergency brake?

You should use the emergency brake—also called the parking brake—every time you park (especially on hills) and in rare, true emergencies when your primary brakes fail. It’s designed to keep a stopped vehicle from rolling and can help bring a moving vehicle to a controlled stop if the service brakes don’t work.

What the emergency brake does today

The emergency brake is a secondary braking system, separate from your vehicle’s hydraulic service brakes. In older cars it’s usually a lever or pedal mechanically linked to the rear brakes; in newer cars it’s often an electric parking brake (EPB) activated by a switch. Its main job is to hold the car stationary after you’ve come to a stop, not to slow a moving vehicle—except in a brake failure scenario.

Situations when you should use it

These are the common, recommended scenarios when using the emergency/parking brake improves safety and reduces wear on other components.

• Every time you park, on flat ground or an incline: It provides a backup to the transmission’s parking pawl (automatics) and helps prevent roll-away.
• On hills or uneven surfaces: Use it in addition to turning your wheels toward/away from the curb per local guidance to add redundancy against vehicle movement.
• With manual transmissions: Always set it when parked; also use it to assist hill starts if your vehicle lacks auto-hold.
• When parked with a heavy load or while towing a trailer: Extra weight increases roll risk; the parking brake adds secure holding force.
• During roadside work (tire changes, loading/unloading): Set it before exiting and add wheel chocks for additional stability.
• Temporary stops on steep grades: It can prevent rollback while you transition pedals, where appropriate and safe.
• True emergencies if service brakes fail: Gradually apply a manual lever/pedal, or press and hold the EPB switch to command a controlled stop. Be prepared to steer and activate hazard lights.

Used correctly, the parking brake adds a simple, robust layer of protection in everyday parking and remains a last-resort tool for rare braking failures.

When to avoid or use caution

There are times when setting or pulling the emergency brake can create hazards or unwanted damage. Keep these cautions in mind.

• While driving under normal conditions: Yanking the brake can lock the rear wheels and cause a skid or loss of control.
• Automatic conveyor car washes: Release the parking brake and disable auto-hold if instructed; these systems can interfere with the conveyor.
• In severe freezing conditions after driving through water, slush, or heavy rain: Moisture can freeze cables or shoes/drums. If freezing is likely, consider relying on Park (automatics) or leaving the vehicle in gear (manuals) with wheel chocks instead, per your owner’s manual.
• Right after hard braking or long downhill descents when brakes are very hot: If safe, let components cool briefly before setting the brake to reduce risk of pad imprinting or shoe-to-drum sticking.
• When the vehicle is being towed or winched onto a flatbed: Keep the parking brake off unless a professional instructs otherwise.

Avoiding these specific situations helps prevent component damage and safety conflicts, while preserving the brake for the moments it’s truly needed.

How to use it correctly

Following a consistent sequence reduces stress on the transmission, improves holding power, and prepares you for emergencies.

1. Come to a complete stop with the foot brake and keep your foot on it.
2. Set the parking brake firmly. In vehicles with EPB, pull or press the switch until you see the confirmation light.
3. Automatics on hills: Set the parking brake before shifting into Park. This keeps the vehicle’s weight off the transmission pawl. When leaving, start the engine, press the brake, shift out of Park, then release the parking brake.
4. Manuals: With the clutch depressed, shift into 1st (facing uphill) or Reverse (facing downhill), set the parking brake, then release the clutch. When departing, apply throttle, release the parking brake smoothly, and engage the clutch.
5. On hills: Turn wheels toward the curb when facing downhill; away from the curb when facing uphill (and then let the car roll gently until the tire touches the curb), unless local rules differ.
6. Emergency use with EPB: Press and hold the parking brake switch to initiate controlled braking; many modern systems modulate braking to help maintain stability. Steer smoothly and activate hazard lights. Release only once stopped.
7. Emergency use with a manual lever/pedal: Apply gradually to avoid wheel lockup. If the wheels start to skid, ease off slightly and reapply progressively.

This routine both protects mechanical parts and ensures you’re ready to use the system effectively in an emergency.

Notes by vehicle type and maintenance

Electric and hybrid vehicles

Most EVs and hybrids use an electric parking brake and a transmission park lock. Regenerative braking does not hold a parked car. Use the EPB when parking—especially on slopes—and follow the manual for emergency activation (often pressing and holding the EPB switch). Disable auto-hold in conveyor car washes if required.

Trucks, SUVs, and trailers

Heavier vehicles and those towing are more prone to rolling. Always set the parking brake when parked, chock wheels on steep grades, and verify trailer brakes are set and functional where applicable.

Maintenance tips

Use the parking brake regularly to keep cables, motors, and mechanisms from seizing. If the lever travels unusually far, the EPB struggles to engage, or you see a warning light, have the system inspected. After exposure to road salt or mud, rinsing and routine servicing can extend component life.

Summary

Use the emergency/parking brake every time you park—flat or uphill—and whenever there’s added roll risk (manual transmissions, heavy loads, towing, roadside work). Reserve it for true emergencies to slow or stop the vehicle if service brakes fail, applying it progressively or by holding the EPB switch. Avoid engaging it in conveyor car washes, during likely freeze-up conditions after getting brakes wet, or immediately after extreme braking heat. Applied correctly, it’s a low-effort safeguard that prevents roll-aways and provides a crucial backup in rare brake failures.

Should I use an emergency brake when parking uphill?

Many people have the misconception that you only need to use the parking brake if you park on a hill or if your vehicle has a manual transmission. The truth is that you should always use your parking brake.

How to properly use an e-brake when parking?

To properly use a handbrake when parking, come to a complete stop, keep your foot on the brake pedal, then firmly engage the handbrake. Next, release the pressure on the foot brake to ensure the handbrake is holding the car’s weight, and then shift the vehicle into park (for automatic) or into first gear (for manual on a hill) or reverse (on a downhill slope). 
Engaging the Handbrake (Automatic Car)

1. Stop the car: Bring your vehicle to a complete stop. 
2. Apply the handbrake: While keeping your foot on the brake pedal, pull up the handbrake lever until it locks into place. 
3. Shift to Park: With the handbrake engaged, shift the gear lever into “Park”. 
4. Release foot brake: Gently release the pressure on the foot brake. The car should remain solid. 

Engaging the Handbrake (Manual Car) 

1. Stop the car: Come to a full stop on a flat surface. 
2. Apply the handbrake: Pull the handbrake lever up firmly. 
3. Shift into gear: 
   • On a flat surface: You can shift into neutral. 
   • On an uphill slope: Shift into first gear. 
   • On a downhill slope: Shift into reverse gear. 
4. Release the handbrake: Disengage the handbrake by lifting the lever slightly to release the button, then press the button and push the lever down completely. 

Tips for Use

• Check the dashboard: Look for an indicator light on your dashboard to confirm the handbrake is engaged. 
• On hills: Using the handbrake in conjunction with the appropriate gear (first for uphill, reverse for downhill) puts less strain on the transmission. 
• Release the handbrake: When preparing to drive, you must release the handbrake before you start moving. 

When should you put the emergency brake on?

You should put on the emergency brake every time you park, not just on hills, to add stability and take stress off the transmission. You should also use the emergency brake for added stopping power in an emergency, such as if your regular brakes fail. When parking, engage the brake when the car is stopped, then shift into park or gear and turn off the engine. 
When to use the emergency brake:

• Every time you park Opens in new tabThis is recommended, especially on hills, to prevent your car from rolling. It also puts less stress on your transmission’s parking pawl. 
• When your car is getting serviced Opens in new tabThis is a safety measure to prevent the car from moving while being worked on. 
• In an emergency Opens in new tabIf your regular braking system fails, you can use the emergency brake to help slow and stop your car. 

How to use the emergency brake:

1. Stop the vehicle: Opens in new tabBring your car to a complete stop before engaging the brake. 
2. Apply the brake: Opens in new tabSlowly pull up the handle (or press the pedal for an electronic brake) to apply the brake. You don’t need to pull it to the very top; the goal is to hold the car in place. 
3. Shift gears: Opens in new tabShift your transmission into “park” (for automatics) or into first or reverse gear (for manuals). 
4. Turn off the engine: Opens in new tabOnce the brake is engaged and the transmission is in gear, you can turn off the engine. 

In which parking situations should you use your parking brake?

You should use your parking brake every time you park, including on flat ground, especially on hills or inclines, and for vehicle maintenance or towing. Using it consistently ensures it functions properly for emergency situations, reduces stress on the vehicle’s transmission, and provides an extra layer of safety by preventing accidental rolling. 
Why Use It Every Time?

• Prevent Rolling: The parking brake prevents your car from rolling if the parking pawl in the transmission fails or isn’t fully engaged. 
• Reduce Transmission Stress: Engaging the parking brake before putting your car in “Park” transfers the vehicle’s weight to the brake system, not the transmission, which is especially beneficial on inclines where stress is higher. 
• Ensure Functionality: Regularly using the parking brake keeps its components from seizing due to rust or disuse. 
• Safety in Emergencies: It provides a vital secondary braking system in case the primary brakes fail. 

Specific Situations to Use It:

• All parking situations: Apply it every time you park, whether the surface is level or on an incline. 
• On hills and inclines: This is the most common reason to use it, as it adds essential stability to prevent movement. 
• During maintenance: Use it when changing a tire or performing other maintenance work to keep the vehicle stationary. 
• For towing or storage: Engaging the parking brake adds stability when a vehicle is being transported or stored for long periods.