The park brake plays a vital role in holding a vehicle in place when parked and serves as a backup braking system in case of primary brake failure.
There are different types of park brakes, each with its pros and cons according to Bendix.
Types of park brakes
- Mechanical park brakes: Bendix notes that these are the most widely used in passenger vehicles. They rely on a lever that connects to steel cables, which apply the rear brake shoes or pads. Mechanical park brakes offer simple and reliable operation but may require periodic manual adjustment and lubrication.
- Electronic park brakes (EPBs): As per Bendix, EPBs are becoming increasingly common and offer several benefits, including automatic engagement and release, elimination of manual adjustment, and detection of brake pad wear. There are two types of EPBs: those that use a stepper motor on the back of the caliper and those that use cable actuation with an electric motor.
- Driveline park brakes: Bendix explains that these are used in older commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment, and early model four-wheel drives. They lock the entire driveline in place, preventing the wheels from moving. Driveline park brakes are designed for static holding and are not effective for slowing a moving vehicle.
Pros and cons of each type
- Mechanical park brakes: simple and reliable but may require manual adjustment and lubrication.
- EPBs: convenient, easy to use, and detect brake pad wear but may require a scan tool for maintenance and can be affected by dead batteries.
- Driveline park brakes: better protected from debris and easy to adjust but designed only for static holding and not effective for heavy loads.
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By understanding the different types of park brakes and their pros and cons, vehicle owners can better maintain and utilise their brakes.
As modern vehicles continue to evolve, the EPB is likely to become increasingly popular due to its ease of use and convenience.