# Safety of electric parking brakes - Have you had to use the handbrake while driving? **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Created:** [May 27, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339 "2022-05-27T03:52:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/1 "2022-05-27T03:52:47Z")
Have you ever had to use your parking brake while driving because of a problem with your brakes? Around here in road salt land I’ve heard two people tell stories about using the parking brake to slow down due to suddenly blown out brake lines that had rusted. Apparently the redundant dual system brakes aren’t always so redundant in all cases. The electric parking brakes seem to just be there to satisfy the legal requirement, and they can’t be used while moving. What’s going to happen in a few years when the brake lines on these vehicles get rusted and the service brakes start to fail? I know of an 8 year old RAM with a section of brake line that must have had its coating damaged, because it’s already half way rusted through. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/2 "2022-05-27T04:23:44Z")
Yes, I have had the brakes fail on more than one car which I owned. Since I realized there was a problem, I was able to safely get to my destination by taking advantage of the engine braking and using the parking brake. Personally, I would not buy a car with an electronic parking brake, any more than I’d buy a car with an electronic throttle body, or a car with touchscreen displays, etc. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/3 "2022-05-27T04:25:15Z")
I’m sure it happens but I have never had a brake line rust through driving in Minnesota and South Dakota. I can’t imagine rear brakes having much stopping power though. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/4 "2022-05-27T04:41:58Z")
If you have to use a foot pedal parking brake, I guess you better pull the release lever the whole time so the brakes can be released quickly if the wheels lock up. Everyone should practice! ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/5 "2022-05-27T05:33:27Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > The electric parking brakes seem to just be there to satisfy the legal requirement, and they can’t be used while moving. In most if not all cars (including my Lexus and my wife’s BMW), they can be used while moving. In addition, you’re overlooking other useful features of an electronic parking brake, such as having it automatically applied when you park (which far too many people wouldn’t otherwise do) and as a hill holder when starting on a steep uphill slope. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/6 "2022-05-27T13:14:35Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Have you ever had to use your parking brake while driving because of a problem with your brakes? Yes. My first car, withOUT a dual system, failed a metal hard line. No brakes at all. Drove it to a shop with the foot-operated parking brake. Another Yes, my '04 truck blew out BOTH circuits during an emergency brake apply because the lines rusted out. The parking brake on that truck was essentially useless because of ITS poor design! I still got the truck home so I could repair it. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > The electric parking brakes seem to just be there to satisfy the legal requirement Also Yes, FMVSS135 is the legal requirement. Must be able to stop the car, must be able to hold the car on a 40% grade. E-brakes will work to stop the car in the event of a brake failure. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > What’s going to happen in a few years when the brake lines on these vehicles get rusted and the service brakes start to fail See above! Push button, stop car. > [@bcohen2010](#): > > Personally, I would not buy a car with an electronic parking brake, any more than I’d buy a car with an electronic throttle body, or a car with touchscreen displays, etc So brake-by-wire is a non starter, huh? What about electric steering assist or electric rear-steer? I suppose those go on the no-go list, too? But we already know you are a Luddite! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 2:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/7 "2022-05-27T14:11:42Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > I would not buy a car with an electronic parking brake, any more than I’d buy a car with an electronic throttle body, or a car with touchscreen displays, etc. From my experience of more than 3 decades as a professional Counselor, I can tell you that the vast majority of people who say that they would “never” do something will eventually find themselves in a position of doing _exactly_ what they had proclaimed that they would never do. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/8 "2022-05-27T15:45:41Z")
Apparently applying the electric parking brake while moving varies depending on the vehicle. Some will partially apply the parking brake and then fully apply it when the vehicle stops. I don’t know what happens if you’re on slippery road conditions at high speed; such as driving on snow when your passenger pulls the parking brake while trying to use the window controls. > [@](#): > > ChumpusRex 2017 > I tried this in my Audi. Pressing the park brake button when moving uses the ABS system to apply maximum brake force using the main hydraulic brakes. Only once the car has stopped does the park brake itself actually engage. Can you imagine what would have happened if the rear wheels locked up when these idiots pushed the brake button at 90 MPH? [https://youtu.be/7GTFnpCB\_-g?t=514](https://youtu.be/7GTFnpCB_-g?t=514) Speaking of parking brakes, is it normal for the parking brake in a 9th gen F-150 to lock up the wheels in forward motion, but to hardly have enough strength to keep it from rolling backward down a hill? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/9 "2022-05-27T16:22:47Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > don’t know what happens if you’re on slippery road conditions at high speed; such as driving on snow when your passenger pulls the parking brake while trying to use the window controls. Didn’t the video tell you what happens? Seems pretty clear. The E brake is controlled with information from the ABS so the wheels don’t lock. ---
**Author:** ![jimkoe329\_179295](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b77776/32.png) [@jimkoe329\_179295](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimkoe329_179295)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/10 "2022-05-27T16:32:06Z")
I must say I do miss the handbrakes on my 1960’s era VW’s. One pull and both rear wheels would lock up…….of course time marches on and I’m glad I now have a dual master cylinder and four wheels discs on my highway traveling car. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/11 "2022-05-27T19:15:13Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > I don’t know what happens if you’re on slippery road conditions at high speed; such as driving on snow when your passenger pulls the parking brake while trying to use the window controls. Fortunately i don’t ever have a passenger that stupid. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/12 "2022-05-28T15:13:51Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > If you have to use a foot pedal parking brake, I guess you better pull the release lever the whole time so the brakes can be released quickly if the wheels lock up. Everyone should practice! I had a 1999 Monte Carlo with a foot parking brake. But there was not a release lever. You stepped on the pedal to apply the brake. And you stepped on it again to release the brake. I guess I could have used it as an emergency brake if I had to. But in 19 years and 240,000 miles I never lost my brakes. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/13 "2022-05-28T15:32:42Z")
Better not fly either, many aircraft controls are now fly by wire. Better stick to a Ford Tri-motor, the cable controls are clearly visible on the exterior. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/14 "2022-05-28T15:45:53Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > I don’t know what happens if you’re on slippery road conditions at high speed; such as driving on snow when your passenger pulls the parking brake while trying to use the window controls. What happens if your demented passenger decides to downshift your transmission to first gear while you are traveling at expressway speeds? What if he/she decides to wrest control of the steering wheel from you? What if he/she decides to bust-out a window if they can’t locate the window control? Just like another forum member, I’m really glad that I don’t transport the same type of passengers that you apparently do. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/15 "2022-05-28T18:21:13Z")
As I said before, my bil used to show off with his 54 desoto. He’d slow down to about 20, then put it into reverse. Tires just smoked but nothing else happened. With my own eyes. Computer changes desoto to desktop. Sheesh ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/16 "2022-05-28T23:10:53Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > What happens if your demented passenger decides to downshift your transmission to first gear while you are traveling at expressway speeds? With the control to open the sun roof being a 6 inch tall lever that is right next to the gear shift lever, that could be a serious issue! But really the critical controls to operate a vehicle are all very big and usually require some force to operate. The steering wheel, shift lever, parking brake lever are huge! It’s hard to mix them up. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/17 "2022-05-28T23:17:03Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > It’s hard to mix them up. But–in theory–not for the people whom you apparently transport, based on your previous statement. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/safety-of-electric-parking-brakes-have-you-had-to-use-the-handbrake-while-driving/184339/18 "2022-05-28T23:20:55Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > With the control to open the sun roof being a 6 inch tall lever that is right next to the gear shift lever, that could be a serious issue! And what vehicle is that /