What to do if the handbrake is frozen

In winter, a wide variety of stories related to the freezing of individual elements can happen to the car. Often there are problems with the hand brake. Under the influence of low temperatures, this important element of the vehicle can literally be blocked. So what if the handbrake is frozen?

If the car has stood all night in the parking lot or in the yard in the cold, the handbrake often freezes. The owner of the car got into it, warmed up the engine and was about to get under way, but then it turns out that the car does not want to move anywhere. It would seem that everything is in order, it works, but it doesn’t work. We'll have to take some measures to eliminate freezing of the handbrake. Every motorist must have this knowledge.

What's the first thing to do?

If the handbrake is frozen, it is impossible to move. In this case, the brake pads freeze directly to the discs. This is due to the impact of low negative temperatures. It is important to clearly distinguish between the moments when the pads freeze and jam. The latter can occur at virtually any time of the year, even in summer at high temperatures. Jamming indicates their malfunction.

The handbrake freezes only at a fairly low temperature. But another reason may be the penetration of moisture into the wheels and their individual elements. For example, in the evening a person drove into a puddle, visited a car wash. After turning on the handbrake in the parking lot, after a few hours of inactivity in the cold, the pads may well freeze to the disc. A relatively small amount of moisture is sufficient for this.

To resolve this problem, the first step is to use the tools that are at hand. This can be, for example, plain gasoline or another similar liquid with a higher temperature than the environment. There is an old, but time-tested method that involves heating car parts with a fire.

To do this, you need to find paper or something similar that will burn. After that, the material is ignited and brought directly to the brake pads on the wheels. At the same time, compliance with safety rules is considered an extremely important nuance. It is necessary to keep the fire at a safe distance so that no force majeure situations and troubles arise.

If you have to deal with a handbrake that is frozen, you need to remain completely calm. Panic in this case is simply inappropriate. If you stay cool, dealing with the problem will be as simple as possible. You should not try to forcefully tear off the pads using the car's engine power. This can harm the vehicle, damage some important elements.

Popular options for heating the parking brake

If the handbrake is frozen, you need to perform a few simple steps that are available to virtually everyone. There are proven methods to ensure that this problem can be successfully resolved without unpleasant consequences.

Defroster

Currently, the most common and productive option is the use of a special defroster. It is a special solution that contains unique components that allow you to defrost locks and other parts of the car. Just in case, it is advisable to purchase at least one package of this product in the winter. You can store it at home or in the luggage compartment. If nothing like this is at hand, you can use a special aerosol. It is important that the freezing point is lower than the one that is now outside.

Alcohol-containing liquids

For these purposes, gasoline, alcohol or liquids can be used that do not freeze and are used to wash window panes. You just need to apply this liquid to the pads and wait a while. The ice will melt without fail.

Hot water

Another good tool for defrosting the parking brake is hot water. It doesn't have to be boiling water. This method is considered one of the most gentle and less aggressive for automotive elements. Just pour hot water over the brake pads. Everyone can cope with this task without difficulty. When the pads come off, you must immediately drive the car. To dry drenched car parts, you must use the brake pedal. During braking, the pads are heated, which evaporates moisture from their surface.

Building hair dryer

The building hair dryer is another way to tidy up the pads. But it is not so easy to use it, because not every person has it in their arsenal. Another problem may be the lack of a nearby outlet for connection.

Prevention of freezing of the parking brake

Sometimes it is much easier to prevent a problem from occurring than to work on fixing it later. There are useful tips with which it will be possible to exclude freezing of the parking brake. The brake will not freeze if you simply do not use it during the winter season. Can be used while stationary to prevent movement. You can also apply the brake for a few minutes, after which it is removed. During this time, a small ice crust forms, which very easily breaks off during the start of the movement.

Before parking, it is advisable to thoroughly dry the pads to avoid freezing. The brake is the ideal tool for this. Pressing on it provokes friction and heating of the pads, and, therefore, drying occurs. It is also advisable not to ride on snow porridge, puddles and other similar places. Thanks to these simple tips, you can avoid freezing the handbrake in winter.

Questions and answers:

How to make sure that the handbrake does not freeze? When replacing the parking brake cable, pour a little grease into the casing. If the pads freeze, then a couple of meters before the stop, raise the handbrake slightly so that the pads are warmed up.

What to do if the wheel is frozen? In no case should you pour boiling water over the frozen parts in the cold - they will seize even stronger. If you have time, then you need to remove the wheel and knock on the drum with a wooden block.

How to rewarm frozen pads? Put a hose on the exhaust pipe and direct the flow to the pads. Use a hairdryer. If you are slightly frozen, then you can try to ride slowly.