No, you absolutely should not tow a car with the parking brake on. Attempting to tow a car with the parking brake engaged, often referred to as towing a car with the parking brake on, can lead to significant damage to the vehicle being towed, the towing vehicle, and even pose serious safety hazards. This article will delve into the risks associated with towing a car with the parking brake engaged, explain what happens if you tow a car with parking brake on, and explore solutions for safe towing with parking brake considerations.
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The Mechanics of a Parking Brake
Before we discuss the dangers, it’s helpful to grasp how a parking brake works. A parking brake, also known as an emergency brake or handbrake, is a secondary braking system. It’s typically designed to hold a vehicle stationary when parked.
Types of Parking Brakes
- Cable-Operated Mechanical Brakes: This is the most common type found in older and many current vehicles. It uses a system of cables to mechanically apply the brakes, usually to the rear wheels. When you engage the lever or pedal, it pulls on these cables, forcing brake shoes or pads against brake drums or rotors.
- Electronic Parking Brakes (EPB): Increasingly found in modern vehicles, EPBs use electric motors to engage and disengage the braking mechanism. They can be activated by a button or switch. While convenient, the underlying principle of applying braking force remains similar.
How They Work
Regardless of the activation method, the core function is to create friction against the braking system of at least one axle, typically the rear. This friction prevents the wheels from rotating.
The Perils of Towing with the Parking Brake Engaged
Towing a car with the parking brake engaged creates immense resistance. When the towing vehicle attempts to move, it’s essentially trying to drag a vehicle that is actively resisting movement. This creates several dangerous scenarios and leads to severe consequences.
What Happens If You Tow a Car With Parking Brake On?
If you attempt towing a car with the parking brake on, here’s what you can expect:
- Excessive Heat Buildup: The continuous friction from the engaged parking brake against the brake drums or rotors will generate tremendous heat. This heat can quickly melt or degrade brake components, including brake pads, shoes, and seals.
- Brake Component Damage: The intense heat can warp brake rotors and drums, making them unusable. Brake pads and shoes can become glazed or even burn away.
- Tire Damage: The resistance from the locked or partially locked wheels will cause tires to scuff and wear down rapidly. In severe cases, tires can overheat and blow out, leading to a loss of control.
- Drivetrain Stress: If the parking brake is applied to the drive wheels, the transmission and differential in the towed vehicle can experience immense stress. This can lead to internal damage, broken gears, or seized components.
- Towing Vehicle Strain: The towing vehicle will have to exert significantly more force to move the resistant load. This can lead to overheating of the towing vehicle’s transmission, engine, and braking system. It also puts undue stress on the hitch and tow strap.
- Loss of Control: The uneven resistance can cause the towed vehicle to swerve or fishtail, potentially leading to a loss of control for both vehicles. This is especially dangerous at higher speeds.
- Fire Hazard: Extreme heat generated by friction can, in worst-case scenarios, ignite flammable materials in the braking system or surrounding areas, posing a serious fire risk.
Specific Risks Detailed
Let’s break down the consequences of towing with parking brake in more detail.
Parking Brake Damage When Towing
The most direct and immediate risk is parking brake damage when towing. The parking brake mechanism, primarily the cables, is not designed for the sustained force of towing.
- Cable Stretching and Breakage: The cables can stretch under the immense pulling force, reducing their effectiveness. They can also snap entirely, rendering the parking brake useless even when you try to engage it manually later.
- Mechanism Seizing: The heat and stress can cause the internal components of the parking brake mechanism (e.g., caliper pistons in some systems, or the lever/actuator mechanism) to seize up. This means the parking brake might become permanently stuck in the engaged position.
- Brake Shoe/Pad Meltdown: The friction material on brake shoes and pads can melt and fuse to the drums or rotors. This is a complete loss of braking surface.
Towing a Vehicle with Seized Parking Brake
A common scenario where this question arises is when dealing with a vehicle that already has a seized parking brake. If you are towing a vehicle with a seized parking brake, it means the parking brake is already stuck in the engaged position.
What to Do When the Parking Brake is Seized
If you find yourself needing to tow a vehicle with a seized parking brake, simply trying to tow it as-is will lead to the severe damage outlined above. You must address the seized parking brake first.
- Manual Release: Try to manually release the parking brake. This might involve finding a release lever or cable under the dashboard or near the seat. Sometimes, a good tug or jiggle can free a slightly stuck mechanism.
- Brake Component Inspection: If manual release fails, you’ll need to access the braking system. This usually involves removing the rear wheels.
- Disc Brakes: For vehicles with disc brakes, you might be able to manually retract the caliper piston. In some systems, the parking brake mechanism is integrated into the caliper. You may need to carefully turn the piston back using a specialized tool.
- Drum Brakes: For drum brakes, the parking brake often works by a lever that forces the brake shoes outward. You may need to disconnect the parking brake cable from the shoe mechanism or manually retract the shoes.
- Lubrication: Sometimes, applying a penetrating lubricant to the parking brake cables or mechanism can help free it.
- Professional Help: If you are unsure or the brake remains stubbornly seized, it’s best to call a professional towing service or a mechanic. They have the tools and expertise to deal with seized brakes safely.
Never proceed with towing a vehicle if you suspect the parking brake is still engaged or seized, as this is a critical safety issue.
Towing a Disabled Vehicle with Parking Brake
When towing a disabled vehicle with parking brake engaged, the risks are amplified. A disabled vehicle already presents challenges, and adding the complication of an engaged parking brake makes the situation far more precarious.
- Increased Difficulty in Control: Maneuvering a disabled vehicle is already tricky. With an engaged parking brake, it becomes extremely difficult to control its direction and speed.
- Damage to Towing Equipment: The excessive force required to drag a vehicle with a partially engaged parking brake can put significant strain on tow straps, chains, and hitch connections, increasing the risk of failure.
Ensuring Safe Towing with Parking Brake Considerations
Safe towing with parking brake is fundamentally about ensuring the parking brake is disengaged. This is a non-negotiable step for any towing operation.
Pre-Towing Checks for Safe Towing
Before you even connect your towing vehicle to the disabled one, perform these checks:
- Engage Neutral: Ensure the transmission of the towed vehicle is in Neutral (N).
- Release Parking Brake: Crucially, ensure the parking brake is fully disengaged. Pull the lever up or press the button until you are certain it’s off.
- Test Rolling: Gently try to push the towed vehicle by hand. It should roll freely without significant resistance. If there’s still resistance, the parking brake might still be partially engaged or seized.
- Check for Leaks: Inspect brake fluid lines for any obvious leaks, which could indicate damage.
- Secure Steering: For flat towing (towing with all four wheels on the ground), the steering wheel should be unlocked and secured to follow the towing vehicle. For a tow dolly or flatbed, steering is less critical for the towed vehicle itself.
- Use Appropriate Towing Equipment: Use properly rated tow straps, chains, and hitches. Ensure they are in good condition and correctly attached.
Towing Methods and Parking Brakes
The method of towing can influence how the parking brake is engaged.
- Flat Towing (All Four Wheels Down): This is the riskiest method if the parking brake is on, as it directly applies force to the driven wheels (if rear-wheel drive) or all wheels (if 4WD/AWD and not properly prepared). Towing a car with the parking brake set in this manner will almost certainly cause severe damage. Many modern vehicles require specific procedures for flat towing, often involving disengaging the parking brake and sometimes even disabling the drivetrain electronically.
- Tow Dolly (Front Wheels on Dolly): If towing a front-wheel-drive vehicle on a tow dolly, the rear wheels are still on the ground. If the parking brake is engaged and it acts on the rear wheels, it will still cause significant dragging and damage to the rear wheels and the parking brake system itself. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the drive wheels are lifted, so the parking brake’s effect might be less direct, but it still introduces strain.
- Flatbed Trailer: This is the safest method for towing any disabled vehicle, especially if the parking brake is suspected to be an issue. The towed vehicle’s wheels are completely off the ground, so the parking brake, even if engaged, is not directly causing the vehicle to drag on the road. However, it’s still good practice to disengage it to prevent internal damage to the parking brake system itself once the vehicle is on the trailer.
Towing Safety Parking Brake: Best Practices
When considering towing safety parking brake protocols, the golden rule is: always disengage it.
- Verify Disengagement: Double-check that the parking brake is off.
- Address Seizures Promptly: If the parking brake is seized, do not attempt to tow until it is released or the affected components are addressed.
- Consult Vehicle Manual: For modern vehicles, especially those with electronic parking brakes, consult the owner’s manual for specific towing instructions. Some systems automatically re-engage the parking brake if not properly overridden.
- Professional Assistance: If you are unsure about releasing the parking brake or the vehicle’s towing procedure, it is always safer and often cheaper in the long run to hire professional towing services.
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring the Parking Brake
The immediate cost of repairing damage caused by towing a disabled vehicle with parking brake engaged can be substantial. This includes:
- Brake System Repairs: Replacing warped rotors, damaged calipers, worn-out pads, and potentially entire brake assemblies.
- Tire Replacement: Damaged tires will need to be replaced.
- Drivetrain Repairs: If the transmission or differential sustained damage, repair bills can run into thousands of dollars.
- Towing Costs: The cost of towing the damaged vehicle to a repair shop.
- Potential Vehicle Write-off: In extreme cases of damage, the cost of repairs might exceed the vehicle’s value.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- “It’s just a little bit engaged”: Even a slight engagement of the parking brake can cause significant heat and wear over the distance of a tow. It’s never worth the risk.
- “It’s a flatbed, so it’s okay”: While a flatbed prevents the wheels from dragging on the road, the parking brake mechanism itself can still be damaged from the internal stress of being held against its release.
- “My car is heavy, it won’t matter”: The weight of the car is precisely why the parking brake being on is so detrimental. More weight means more force, more friction, and more rapid damage.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I tow a car with the parking brake on for a very short distance?
A: While the damage might be less severe than a long tow, it is still highly inadvisable. Even a short distance can generate enough heat to damage brake components, warp rotors, and cause premature wear. It’s always best to disengage the parking brake.
Q2: My parking brake light is on, but I think it’s off. Can I tow?
A: If the parking brake warning light is illuminated, it indicates that the parking brake system is engaged or there is a fault in the system. Do not tow the vehicle. The light is a warning that the brake is active, and towing with it on risks severe damage. Have the system checked before towing.
Q3: What if the parking brake is electronically engaged? Can I still tow?
A: For vehicles with Electronic Parking Brakes (EPB), it is crucial to consult the owner’s manual. Many EPBs have a specific procedure for releasing them for towing or will automatically disengage under certain towing conditions. Simply attempting to tow without following the manufacturer’s instructions can still lead to damage or unintended re-engagement.
Q4: How do I know if the parking brake is truly off?
A: The most reliable way is to ensure the parking brake lever or button is fully in the released position. Then, physically try to roll the vehicle by hand. If it moves freely without noticeable resistance from the braking system, the parking brake is likely disengaged.
Q5: I have a rear-wheel-drive car. If the parking brake is on, does it affect the front wheels?
A: Typically, parking brakes act on the rear wheels. However, if the parking brake is significantly engaged and dragging, it will still create considerable resistance that the towing vehicle must overcome, stressing the drivetrain and overall stability.
Q6: Is it possible to tow a car with a seized parking brake without causing damage?
A: No, not if the parking brake remains engaged due to being seized. You must first address the seized parking brake, either by releasing it manually, repairing the mechanism, or ensuring the affected wheels are lifted off the ground (e.g., on a flatbed trailer or by removing the drive shaft in some RWD vehicles if the parking brake is on the differential).
Conclusion
The question of can you tow a car with the parking brake on has a definitive answer: no. The risks are too great, and the potential for severe and costly damage is extremely high. Prioritizing safe towing with parking brake awareness, which means ensuring it is fully disengaged before towing, is paramount for the safety of yourself, others on the road, and the integrity of both vehicles involved. Always err on the side of caution; if in doubt, seek professional towing assistance.