Will the Vehicle Respond When Pulling the Electronic Handbrake While Driving?

[DiDelilah]

During vehicle movement, the electronic handbrake will not engage. Some vehicles feature two modes for the electronic handbrake: one is the parking function, and the other is auto hold, which automatically activates the handbrake when stopping at a red light and releases it upon lightly pressing the accelerator. Accidental activation of the electronic handbrake does not compromise safety. Additional Information: Correct Usage of the Electronic Handbrake: With the brake pedal pressed to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, pull up the electronic handbrake button. A red electronic handbrake symbol will appear on the dashboard, indicating its activation. To deactivate the electronic handbrake: Shift into D gear and press the accelerator for automatic release, or press the brake pedal while pushing down the electronic handbrake button.

[LeIvan]

I have specialized in the design of electronic parking brake systems. Pulling the electronic parking brake while driving definitely triggers a response, but it does not immediately lock the wheels. Modern vehicles are equipped with dynamic braking functionality—when you pull the button, the control unit applies braking force individually to each wheel via the ESP system, based on the current speed and steering wheel angle. At higher speeds, it feels like slamming on the brakes, with ABS intervening to prevent wheel lockup; at low speeds, it may bring the car to a complete stop. This feature is primarily intended for emergencies, such as brake pedal failure. Never test it under normal conditions, as sudden deceleration could lead to rear-end collisions. Tuning varies by brand—German cars respond the fastest, while Japanese models are relatively more gentle.

[FaithMarie]

During my last test drive, I conducted an actual test on an empty road. At a speed of 40 km/h, gently pulling the electronic parking brake, I clearly felt the vehicle continuously decelerating, but the process was very smooth, as if someone was applying 50% braking force for you. At 60 km/h, holding it for three seconds resulted in stronger braking sensation, but the car body remained stable. However, if you turn the steering wheel, the system reduces the braking force to prevent loss of control. Modern electronic parking brakes are equipped with speed sensors and will only fully lock the wheels when the speed is below 5 km/h. This design is quite intelligent, preserving emergency functionality while preventing accidents caused by misoperation.

[Jordan]

As a mechanic, I'd like to remind everyone: When the electronic parking brake is activated while driving, you'll hear the motor sound, and the dashboard usually illuminates a red warning light. Although the system will apply protective braking, frequent operation like this will accelerate brake pad wear. Pay special attention to hybrid vehicles - their electronic parking brakes require power from the 12V battery; if the battery is aged during emergency braking, it may lead to insufficient braking force. It's recommended that vehicles over 100,000 kilometers avoid taking this risk to prevent system response delays. In case of actual brake failure, continuously holding the electronic parking brake is more effective than pumping it.