Your vehicle’s brake system is its most essential safety feature. In addition to your brake pedal, the parking brake helps prevent your car from rolling when parked. However, what happens if you forget to disengage this feature before you take off? If you drive a few miles before you notice the warning light on your dash, don’t panic. Not every instance requires brake repair, as it depends on how far and how fast you’ve driven with it on, but it isn’t a habit you want to get into. Here are a few effects this oversight could have on your vehicle. 

Does Driving With the Parking Brake on Cause Damage? 

When you drive with the parking brake on, it causes the brake pads to rub against the rotors, causing friction. If you’re driving at a low speed for a short distance, you likely won’t require brake repair.  

However, if you’re traveling at a higher speed or for a long distance, the friction can heat the brake pads, resulting in wear and tear. This can put a glaze on the brake pads and make it difficult to stop the car. In extreme cases, the heat will cause the brake fluid to boil. When this happens, your brakes will become ineffective, and you will not be able to use them.

Does the Type of Car Matter? 

The type of drive system your vehicle has will factor into whether it can operate with the parking brake engaged, as well as how much damage will be done if you do. In cars with front-wheel drive, you may not be able to move at all when the parking brake is engaged. If your car does move, you’ll feel a pulling sensation as the tires drag, making it clear there’s an issue.

With rear-wheel drive vehicles, the engine may overpower the brake, making it less clear that there’s a problem. The damage is also typically more significant, including premature brake wear, damaged wheel bearings, and brake failure, in the most severe cases. If you’ve driven with the parking brake on frequently, see an auto mechanic, as you might need brake repair. 

If repeated oversights have you worried about the condition of your brakes, head to Brothers Tire Sales in Kannapolis, NC. For more than 50 years, they’ve been Rowan County’s go-to auto mechanic for everything from brake repair to oil changes. They also carry a wide selection of tires from the nation’s leading manufacturers, including Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, and Goodyear®. Visit the website to learn more about their services, or call (704) 933-2203 to schedule an appointment with an auto mechanic today.