Quick Summary:
- Check gear position, seatbelt, doors shut, and press brake firmly.
- Cycle ignition, wait for dash warnings, then try EPB release again.
- Look for low-voltage signs, disable accessories, and try a supported restart.
- If wheels stay locked, do not force movement, call rental assistance.
An electronic parking brake, often labelled EPB, can be unsettling when it refuses to release, especially in a hire car where the switch and start system may be unfamiliar. In Pennsylvania you may be parked on an incline, in a cold snap, or in a busy car park where you need a safe, calm routine. The good news is that many EPB “failures” are simple interlocks, low voltage, or a missed step. The key is to try only low-risk checks first and to stop before you damage the brake system or put yourself in danger.
This guide focuses on safe first steps you can try at the vehicle, without tools, without crawling under the car, and without forcing the car to move. It also explains when to stop and call the hire company or roadside assistance.
Understand what an EPB needs to release
Most EPB systems are designed to prevent accidental roll-away. That means the car will often refuse to release the brake unless a few conditions are met. Common requirements include: ignition on, a recognised key in the cabin, the brake pedal pressed, the driver seatbelt latched, the driver door closed, and the gearbox in the correct mode. These requirements vary by brand and trim level, so treat them as a checklist rather than a guarantee.
Some vehicles also have an auto-hold function. Auto-hold can keep the brakes applied even when you think you have released the parking brake. If the dash shows “AUTO HOLD” or a similar icon, you may need to press the accelerator gently while belted and in gear, or disable auto-hold via its button, to get moving.
Safe first checks, do these in order
1) Make the car “ready to drive”. Put your foot firmly on the brake pedal and keep it there. Close all doors fully, especially the driver door. Fasten your seatbelt. Ensure the key fob is inside the cabin, not in a bag in the boot. Then confirm the gear selection. For automatics, select “P” first, then press the brake and move to “D” or “R” only when instructed below. For manuals, select neutral while you are troubleshooting.
2) Confirm the ignition state. In push-button start cars, “Accessory” mode is not the same as “Ignition on” or “Ready”. Look for the dash to fully illuminate, then settle. If you see “Press brake to start” or the engine is not running when it should be, you may not be in the correct mode for the EPB to release. Start the engine if possible, or at least get the ignition properly on.
3) Try the standard EPB release action. With your foot still on the brake pedal, pull or press the EPB switch in the release direction. Some toggles are pulled up to apply and pushed down to release. Others are buttons. Hold it for a full second rather than flicking it. Watch and listen, a healthy EPB often makes a short motor sound from the rear. If you see a message like “Press brake pedal” even though you are, press harder, some cars require a firm pedal input.
4) Avoid rocking the car or powering through. If the brake will not release, do not apply throttle to “break it free”, and do not try to drive against the brake. That can overheat pads, damage motors, or trigger faults that require workshop attention. Stay stationary while troubleshooting.
If it still won’t release, try these low-risk resets
Cycle the ignition safely. Keep the car in Park for automatics or neutral for manuals. Turn the engine off, wait 20 to 30 seconds, then turn it back on. During the wait, keep your foot off the brake so the system fully powers down. Then repeat the release steps with firm brake pedal pressure. Many EPB glitches clear after a full power cycle.
Lock and unlock the car once. With the vehicle safely in Park or neutral and on level ground if possible, turn the ignition off, exit with the key, lock the car, wait 15 seconds, unlock, get back in, close the door, buckle up, and retry. Some modules reset their state after a lock cycle. Do this only if it is safe to exit the vehicle where you are parked.
Check for a brake hold or hill assist confusion. If the dash shows auto-hold active, press the auto-hold button to toggle it off, then retry the EPB release. On some cars, the parking brake releases but auto-hold keeps the vehicle braked until you apply gentle accelerator input while in gear. Do this only if the EPB indicator has actually gone out and you are in a controlled area.
Cold weather, ice, and “stuck” brakes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania winters can contribute to brake sticking, especially after freezing rain, slush, or a car wash followed by a hard freeze. Sometimes the EPB motor releases correctly, but the pads are lightly frozen to the disc. You might feel the car refuse to move even though the EPB light is off.
In that situation, do not keep adding throttle. First, confirm on the dash that the parking brake indicator has gone out and there is no “parking brake fault” warning. If it is definitely released, you can try a gentle forward creep on a flat surface, using minimal power, then stop. If it still will not move, stop immediately. Continuing can damage tyres and brakes. Call for assistance, as the safest solution may be a warm-up, a controlled release by a technician, or relocation with proper equipment.
Low battery voltage is a common culprit
EPB systems rely on stable electrical power. If the battery is low, the car may not have enough voltage to release the brake motor, even if the dash lights come on. Signs include slow cranking, flickering displays, multiple warning lights, or a “battery low” message.
Safe steps if you suspect low voltage: turn off high-draw accessories like heated seats, rear demister, and blower fan. If the engine starts, let it idle for a few minutes to stabilise voltage, then retry the EPB release with the brake pedal pressed. If the engine will not start, do not attempt a jump start unless your rental agreement and the vehicle handbook allow it, and you know how to do it safely. With a hire car, the best option is usually to call the rental provider’s roadside support, as incorrect jump starting can damage electronics.
Know the difference between “EPB applied” and “transmission locked”
Sometimes the issue is not the parking brake at all. A car in Park will not roll, even with the parking brake off, because the transmission parking pawl locks the drivetrain. If you are trying to push the car slightly to test movement, you must be in Neutral, but only do this on flat ground with someone controlling the foot brake, and only if it is safe. If you are on any slope, keep the car in Park and focus on releasing the EPB through normal controls.
What not to do with a hire car EPB
To protect your safety and avoid avoidable charges, skip the risky “internet hacks”. Do not crawl under the car to access calipers. Do not hit wheels or brake components. Do not tow with a strap. Do not repeatedly apply and release the EPB dozens of times, as you can overheat the motor. Do not drive with a warning light that says “parking brake fault” or “service brake system” if the car feels abnormal. If the car has a manual emergency release procedure, it is usually intended for technicians and may require tools or a specific sequence that can cause damage if done incorrectly.
When to stop troubleshooting and call for help
Stop and contact support if any of the following happen: the dash displays “parking brake fault”, the EPB light flashes and will not go steady or go out, you hear repeated loud grinding from the rear, there is a burning smell, the car will not shift out of Park, or you are in an unsafe location. In Pennsylvania, that may include narrow shoulders, steep driveways, icy surfaces, or busy city kerbs where stopping to experiment increases risk.
When you call the hire company, provide a clear description: location, whether the engine starts, what the EPB indicator is doing, any exact warning messages, and whether the car is on a slope. If you can, take a photo of the dashboard warning with the car stationary. That helps the provider decide whether to send roadside assistance or swap the vehicle.
Prevent it happening again during your rental
Once you are moving, a few habits reduce the chance of a repeat. Avoid setting the EPB when the discs are wet and temperatures are below freezing if you have alternatives, but only if it is safe and legal where you park. In an automatic, use Park plus the EPB on slopes, and avoid leaving the car after a hot brake event such as long downhill braking. When parking overnight in cold conditions, try to park on level ground. Always wait for dash confirmations before switching off, so modules complete their shutdown cleanly.
If you are comparing vehicle types for a future car hire, note that SUVs and newer models often come with EPBs and auto-hold as standard. Familiarising yourself with the controls before you drive off can save stress later. Hola Car Rentals publishes location pages that can help you plan pickup logistics, for example car hire at New York JFK if you are arriving via New York before heading into Pennsylvania, or car hire at Chicago O’Hare for Midwest connections. If your trip involves winter mountain driving, browsing options like car hire in Salt Lake City can also give you a sense of common features such as auto-hold. For travellers who prefer a familiar rental desk experience, it can be useful to review provider-specific pages like Budget car hire at Fort Worth as part of your planning.
FAQ
Why won’t the electronic parking brake release even though I’m pressing the button? Most often an interlock is not satisfied, such as brake pedal not pressed firmly, door ajar, seatbelt unfastened, or ignition not fully on. Try the checklist, then power-cycle the car.
Is it safe to try to drive off if the car feels stuck? No. If the EPB warning stays on, or you are unsure it released, do not apply throttle to force movement. You can overheat brakes or damage the EPB mechanism, call the hire company instead.
Could a low battery stop the EPB from releasing? Yes. EPBs need good voltage to run the actuators. If the car cranks slowly or shows low-voltage warnings, switch off accessories, start the engine if possible, wait briefly, and retry. If it will not start, seek roadside support.
What if the EPB light goes out but the car still won’t move? The brakes may be frozen to the discs in cold conditions, or you may still be in Park. Confirm you are in the correct gear on level ground. If it still will not move with gentle input, stop and call assistance.
Should I use any emergency release method I found online? No. Emergency releases vary by model and can cause damage or safety issues if done incorrectly. With a hire car, follow the handbook if available, and contact the rental provider for guided support.
