Why Does the Handbrake Keep Freezing in Winter?

[VonCaroline]

Here are the reasons why the handbrake often freezes in winter: Reasons for Mechanical Handbrake Freezing: For manual parking systems, there is generally only one reason why the handbrake gets stuck and cannot be released in winter: the brake disc and brake pads are frozen together and cannot separate. The solution is to engage the gear after warming up the car, release the handbrake lever, slightly lift the clutch, and press the clutch when the car shows a tendency to move forward. Repeat this process several times to see if it can be released. Reasons for Electronic Parking System Freezing: Typically, electronic parking systems are more resistant to freezing than traditional mechanical handbrakes. Pressing the unlock button allows for smooth driving. However, it is important to note that the brake discs of electronic brakes can also freeze if they get wet after washing the car or after long-distance driving on slippery surfaces. If the brake discs freeze due to water ingress, the only solution is to pour hot water to thaw them. However, the extent of freezing is unpredictable, and the torque of automatic transmission vehicles is not entirely under the driver's control when the brake is released. Therefore, using movement to thaw is not recommended.