In which position should you NOT apply the parking brake?

• A. during heavy rain
• B. on a steep incline
• C. if the brakes are very hot
• D. when the parking brake is engaged

Answer: (C)

Don't apply the parking brake when the brakes are very hot. After heavy braking or a long descent, the brake components are extremely hot, and engaging the parking brake at that moment can cause the heat to affect the parking brake system—glazing or bonding the shoes to the drum, warping the drum, or making the brakes stick or hard to release. Let the brakes cool before setting the parking brake, or use it only after cooling to hold the vehicle. In other scenarios, such as parking in rain or on a steep incline, you can still use the parking brake, but be mindful of slippery surfaces and ensure the vehicle is secure. If the parking brake is already engaged, you wouldn’t re-engage it; you would release and re-apply only as needed once the system is ready.