How to Release the Automatic Parking Brake in an Automatic Transmission Vehicle?
4 Answers
There are two methods to release the automatic parking brake in an automatic transmission vehicle: 1. After the engine starts, when the driver's side door is closed and the vehicle begins to move, the parking brake will automatically release. 2. With the ignition switch on or the engine running, press the brake pedal, first pull the handle backward while holding the lock button at the end of the handle, then push the handle all the way down to manually release the parking brake. Below is more information about the parking system: 1. The parking brake, commonly known as the handbrake, functions to provide resistance when parking, preventing the vehicle from rolling. The parking brake, whether it's a handbrake or the parking gear in an automatic transmission, locks the drive shaft or rear wheels. 2. The parking brake applies much less force compared to the service brake, just enough to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked on a slope.
When I previously drove an automatic transmission car with auto-hold engaged, a light tap on the accelerator would disengage it, allowing the car to start moving slowly immediately. If you temporarily want to move the car without revving the accelerator, you can manually turn off this function—usually near the electronic parking brake button, there's a button with an 'A' on it. Press it, and the dashboard indicator light will turn off. Some infotainment systems also allow you to set conditions for auto-hold activation. For example, I often disable the option that only activates auto-hold when the seatbelt is fastened. Auto-hold is indeed effortless during long red-light stops, but it can be troublesome when frequently triggered during parking maneuvers. Remember, when parking on a slope, don’t release the foot brake before disengaging auto-hold. Once, I didn’t pay attention on a slope and the car rolled back half a meter.
Last time I drove my bestie's car, I got stuck with this feature. As soon as I braked to a stop, I heard a click and it locked, with the light showing a circled A in front of the AC vent suddenly turning on. At first, I thought it was a malfunction alarm. Later, I found out that just a light tap on the accelerator with my toe could unlock it, much more sensitive than manually releasing the handbrake. Of course, if you don't want to use it at all, just find the button with the same icon next to the electronic handbrake and press it for three seconds to turn it off. A piece of advice for female drivers: practice controlling the accelerator's pressure. Once, when I released it in a parking lot, I pressed the accelerator too hard and almost hit the car in front. Now, I always turn off the auto hold before reversing into a parking space.
The key to releasing the auto hold function lies in the throttle signal. When the throttle is lightly pressed, the ECU receives the torque request and releases the electronic brake. Some models also support releasing by turning the steering wheel, but this depends on the specific control system. To permanently disable it, refer to the Auto Hold section in the manual. My car with auto start-stop is more troublesome - the hold function cannot be released when the engine is stopped; you need to disable the start-stop function first. In electric vehicles like Tesla, the motor responds faster during release, which can cause sudden acceleration that may surprise new drivers. For modified braking systems, insufficient caliper piston retraction may cause release delays.
