Should I use the parking brake in winter?

An old car should not use the parking brake in winter, as its cord may freeze. But is this true? Experts say it depends on the specific case. There is no legal obligation to apply the parking brake, but the car should not start on its own after it is parked.

On a flat surface, it is enough to turn on the gear. If it is inserted incorrectly or the clutch remains disengaged for any reason, the vehicle may start. Therefore, the parking brake is insurance against such a start.

When parking on a slope, be sure to pull the handle. On newer vehicles with an electronic parking brake, it is automatically activated unless the driver deactivates this function.

In winter, things look different and with more downtime. Drivers of older vehicles with drum brakes or relatively unprotected wires should pay attention here. The parking brake may actually freeze if the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time. Therefore, the advice of experts is to use a gear and even a stand under one of the tires to protect against starting off.

In modern cars, the risk of freezing is low because the parking brake wires are better insulated and, due to their design, are less likely to retain condensation. If you want to be more careful and park your car for a long time in the cold, you can release the parking brake.

Drivers of vehicles with electronic parking brakes should check the operating instructions if the manufacturer recommends disabling automatic mode. If there is such a recommendation, the instruction clearly describes how this can be done. After a cold period, the automatic function must be switched on again.