Parking Brake Fail to Engage/Slipping

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Canard, Jan 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM.

  1. Canard

    Canard Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    223
    41
    5
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    2010 Gen3/425k km

    In cold weather/when the cabin is cold, the parking brake is reluctant to engage. Feels like maybe the teeth are smooth and the pawl is not grabbing. If I release very slowly I can get it to latch.

    This only occurs when the car cabin is cold. After a drive when it is warm it will engage normally.

    Any ideas?
     
    #1 Canard, Jan 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,191
    16,431
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Mine's the same way. The grease that lubricates the ratchet pawl is thicker when cold, and the pawl takes longer to drop into the teeth and hold the pedal down. Pressing the pedal down and holding it a little longer seems to do the trick.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jan 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
    Canard likes this.
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    11,497
    4,660
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    All the posts I've read about emergency brake pedal turned out to be related to loose bolts. Probably not the case with this one, but that's what I'd look at first.
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Jan 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
  4. Canard

    Canard Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    223
    41
    5
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That makes perfect sense. Thanks!
     
    #4 Canard, Jan 11, 2025 at 8:38 AM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)