My 98 Explorer has a glitch where the light that indicates the parking brake is on only works sometime. As a result, I didn't realize I had the parking brake on until I'd drove about seven miles. Will this cause any damage to the car?
2007-02-02 10:08:47 · 15 answers · asked by melissa 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
What has happened to the rear brakes sence you drove with them on is that you have glazed the brake shoes and possibly warped the drums. All the Excess heat could also have caused the shoes to develope heat fractures in them. While your brakes are probably ok it is a good Idea to take it to a GOOD shop and have them checked and adjusted.
2007-02-02 10:16:02 · answer #1 · answered by huntnyou 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The parking brake is a manual system that engages the drums separate from the hydraulic brakes. FYI - the parking brakes only arrest the rear wheels. If you didnt have the brake on hard enough to cause serious drag then you might not have caused much damage, like riding the brakes.
2007-02-02 10:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by Confused 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible to drive with the parking brake on. It probably felt like you were starting on a hill every time you took your foot off the clutch. You probably had to press the gas pedal harder than usual. Driving with the parking brake on will wear down the shoes, if the shoes are already almost gone it'll cause the shoes to dig into the drums. The brakes will get excessively hot! And the clutch may overheat and smell like it's burning.
2016-05-24 06:20:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is NO. At worst you might overheat and warp the drums (assuming no rear disc brakes) and possibly glazed or cracked the read brake shoes. But for ony 7 miles, that is not likely. I have driven cars like that for 40 miles and the brakes were still good. And the bigger the car (bigger the drums) the less likely the damage.
2007-02-02 12:59:04 · answer #4 · answered by jhartmann21 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes it will. It will burn up your rear brakes. Go to a shop, get them fixed and dont trust the dummy lights. If you remember Driver's Ed, the park brake is part of the "pre-flight" check list! hahaha!
2007-02-03 01:33:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you KNOW the indicator is faulty then avoid using the parking brake unless you really HAVE to use it. Like parked on a steep hill with a heavy trailer attached to you're truck. Then you'll KNOW to release it, & shouldnt have those little accidents. Maybee the release lever is out of adjustment or something.
2007-02-02 11:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
serious damage yes. if it 4whl disk it will warp the rotors and if it is drum on the rear it will decrease your stopping capability. both will do damage in the short and long terms. I reccomend smearing some axle grease on the pads so if you leave the brakes on again you will be able to tell by the smoke. just kidding LOL
2007-02-02 13:54:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You better get the brake pads checked. Most brake shops will inspect for free.
2007-02-02 10:11:50 · answer #8 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you was able to drive with the brake on, shows you that the brake is not working or was not fully engaged. Don't bother to use the brake if it doesn't well "brake" other than your brake not working it shouldn't harm the car.
2007-02-02 10:12:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
not the car, only the parking brake
2007-02-02 10:11:57 · answer #10 · answered by blindboygrunt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋