
parking brake is located behind the lever in the center console area or at the original clutch position for left-foot drive vehicles. Parking Brake: The parking brake, also known as handbrake or parking gear in automatic transmissions, locks the drive shaft or rear wheels. Its technical term is auxiliary brake, which operates differently from service brakes by using steel cables connected to rear brake shoes to apply braking force. Its primary function is to provide resistance when parked, preventing vehicle rollaway. Precautions for using parking brake: When parking on slopes, shifting to P position before engaging the parking brake may make it difficult to disengage P gear later due to vehicle weight. Before moving the vehicle, always shift the transmission out of P position prior to releasing the parking brake.

I've been driving cars for about seven or eight years, and the parking brake position does vary by model. For compact daily drivers like the Sylphy and Tiida, the handbrake lever is located on the central console to the right of the driver's seat, near the cup holders—just pull it towards the rear right to lock the wheels. If you're driving larger models like the X-Trail or Murano, you might encounter a foot-operated parking brake—it's hidden in the pedal area below the steering wheel's left side, and you simply press it down with your left foot. The latest Teana and Sylphy EV models are the most convenient, featuring an electronic parking brake button embedded right next to the gearshift, marked with a blue circle and a 'P' in the middle. I recommend familiarizing yourself with your specific model before driving, as not locating the parking brake in an emergency can be quite dangerous.

My friend just bought a Qashqai last week and let me test drive it. That's when I noticed most mainstream models now come with electronic parking brakes. The button is positioned slightly to the rear-right of the gear lever, featuring that silver chrome-edged design. A satisfying click activates it when pressed, and another press releases it - much more effortless than traditional handbrakes. Older models like the Bluebird and Sunny still use mechanical handbrakes located directly behind the gear knob. For larger SUVs like the Patrol, early versions required pressing a pedal under the dashboard with your left foot to engage the brake, then pulling a release lever beside it. While positions vary significantly across models, they're generally designed around the driver's right-hand area for operational convenience.

offers three types of parking brakes: The first is the traditional lever type, located on the front side of the center console, easily reachable with the right hand; the second is the electronic button type, usually positioned right next to the gear shift lever; the third is the foot pedal type, hidden below the left side of the steering wheel. Newer models like the Sylphy e-POWER have switched to the electronic button type, positioned at the rear side of the gear shift area on the center console.

When I first drove my newly purchased X-Trail, I spent quite some time looking for the parking brake button. Later, I found the electronic parking brake was right next to the gear lever, positioned more forward than I expected. Nowadays, Nissan's new models have mostly phased out foot-operated brakes, even the pickup truck Navara has switched to an electronic system. However, I once rented an older model Sunny, which still required pulling a mechanical handbrake hard from the right rear. I recommend checking the manual to confirm, as the positions differ even between newer models like the Kicks and Qashqai.

Our family has been driving cars for ten years, from the old Teana to the new Tiida. In the early models, the handbrake lever was located in the center console between the front seats, and the cable would loosen over time. Later, when driving the NV200 van, I noticed it used a foot pedal on the left side of the steering wheel that required stepping on. Nowadays, new cars generally use electronic buttons, positioned on the center console near the gear shift. This change reflects the evolution of car design—traditional handbrakes take up space, while electronic buttons are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. However, regardless of the form, Nissan prioritizes the area within reach of the driver's right hand.


