What does it mean when the parking brake is released?
4 Answers
When the parking brake is released, it simply means the handbrake is disengaged. The handbrake is also known as the parking brake, and nowadays many vehicles are equipped with electronic parking brakes or foot-operated "handbrakes". Relevant information about automatic parking is as follows: 1. Introduction: Automatic parking, also known as AUTO-HOLD, refers to an automatic braking function. When this function is activated, for example, when stopping at a traffic light, there's no need to pull the handbrake, simplifying operations by avoiding the use of manual or electronic parking brakes. For automatic transmission models, it also eliminates the need for frequent switching between D to N or D to P. 2. Working Principle: The AUTO-HOLD automatic parking function provides precise braking force through a slope sensor controlled by a system. During startup, the parking control unit calculates information from sensors such as clutch distance, clutch engagement speed, and throttle pedal position. When the driving force exceeds the running resistance, the parking brake is automatically released, allowing the vehicle to start smoothly.
I was also puzzled by this warning last time, but it actually means the handbrake is released. The parking brake is what we usually call the handbrake, which comes in two types: electronic and mechanical. Cars with electronic handbrakes are especially convenient - it automatically releases when you press the accelerator after starting, and the dashboard will display 'Parking Brake Released'. For mechanical handbrakes, you must manually press the button all the way down. When this warning light is on, it means the car can move normally and isn't stuck in braking mode. However, be careful - on steep slopes, it's best to double-check that the handbrake is fully released. A friend of mine once had the car roll back on a slope even with this warning light on, and later found out the latch wasn't fully reset. Electronic systems can also give false alarms, so don't be 100% reassured when you see this warning - try gently pressing the accelerator first to see if the car moves.
This prompt is quite common, indicating that the parking brake has been released. Having driven many car models, I've noticed slight variations in the wording across different manufacturers. For instance, BMW shows a circled P symbol disappearing, while Volkswagen directly displays 'Parking Brake Released', but they all convey the same meaning. The primary purpose of this alert is to prevent driving with the parking brake engaged. Back when I worked as a mechanic, I encountered several cases where drivers thought they had released the parking brake, but the brake pads remained clamped, resulting in smoke after just three kilometers of driving. Newer vehicles now come with pressure sensors that trigger this notification as soon as the system detects the brake calipers have fully opened. There's an additional detail with electronic parking brake models: during auto start-stop, the system reactivates the parking brake, and this prompt reappears when releasing it to start moving again.
Simply put, the handbrake is released. Experienced drivers know that once this prompt appears, you can press the accelerator and go. The key is to learn to distinguish between a genuine release and a false alarm due to a malfunction. If the prompt is on but the car remains firmly braked, it's usually one of two issues: either the electronic handbrake module is faulty, or the mechanical handbrake cable is stuck. New cars don’t have this problem, but older cars over five years need extra attention. I recommend having the mechanic check the handbrake cable retraction during every maintenance service. Once, a client of mine had the release prompt showing every time, but after six months, they found the rear brake pads completely worn out—turned out the caliper guide pins were rusted and stuck. Nowadays, many cars with auto-hold function temporarily lock when activated, and the release prompt only appears when you start moving again and release the brake.
