Prius driven 50 miles with parking brake on...

cproly needs an adjustment. take a look at the rear brakes and rotors while your at it for signs of wear. she probably didn't have it pressed down very far if she didn't feel anything holding her back.

 

(I am assuming that this is a Gen I or II with rear drums, if it is a Gen II with rear discs, ignore me. Please tell us the model year of the Prius)

If the Drums got hot enough they warp, so that afterwards your brakes pulse like mad. At least that is what I did to a 1971 Ford Torino, so it was true once.

In normal use the Prius does not use the rear brakes much, so you might only notice it in a panic stop, which is the wrong time to learn you have bad brakes. So do a 'panic' stop some where away from traffic, and notice if you feel any pulsing.

Many drum brakes are self adjusting when driven in reverse. I honestly do not know if the Prius is, but you may wish to hit the brakes in reverse a couple of times.

 

The Gen II Prius drum brakes are self adjusting in normal forward operation, not backing as with many older drum brakes.

Tom

 

OK, everything I said is wrong. Forget I ever ruined my dad's Torino, please.

"These aren't the Drums we're looking for. You can go about your business. Move Along."

 

Isn't the parking brake like a little drum brake inside of the rear disc rotor? if so i think you may need a few parts replaced maybe including the rotors. My guess is $100 to $200 for the little pads and maybe hardware, plus labor. More if the rotors are damaged.

I would never let her drive anything of mine again. How could she drive your car will a red brake light on the dash and a beeping sound and not care enough to do something about it. Just wrong....

 

Every car I've owned with rear disc brakes had an additional drum brake as the parking brake.

The problem with the OP's parking brake now not working properly could be as simple as a cable adjustment, or it could be the parking brake shoes are worn down.

 

or the parking brake shoes got so hot they melted/glaxed over, and same with the drum part of the rotor. Can you have the drum part of it turned? I know you can have the rotor turned.

 

Yes, you can have the drums refinished if necessary.

 

apparently, you don't have a sister.

 

I have four sisters. No brothers. The five of us were raised by a mechanic. All of us are far pickier about our vehicles than our husbands. We hear every little rattle and noise.

Stereo type alert! LOL!

 

i suppose you could take my comment many different ways.

 

So... do you service your own vehicles?

 

Congratulations. You may be the first person who has had to replace their rear brakes!

Keep us posted on what you find.

 

I did but in Febuary of this year she commited suicide.

 

So the little inner drum thats on a disc brake rotor for the parking brake can be turned i wasn't sure. I know they can turn rotors and drum brakes. Wasn't sure about the little parking brake drum.

 

Sorry, I gotta say it. 50 MILES WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON! Wth?

 

There is no little drum such as some cars have. The Gen3 Prius parking brake uses the cables to squeeze the calipers.

 

Ok we have a answer. So the OP just needs to make sure the rear pads and rotors are in good shape. Then adjust the parking brake.