Driving Your Vehicle

Parking Brake Pedal

~1min read

Applying the parking brake

To apply the parking brake, first apply the foot brake, then press the parking brake pedal down fully.

WARNING - Parking Brake

Driving with the parking brake applied will cause excessive wear of the brake pads (or linings) and brake discs.

Releasing the Parking Brake

To release the parking brake, press the parking brake pedal a second time while applying the foot brake. The pedal will automatically return to the fully released position.

WARNING! Using the Parking Brake

  • Never allow a passenger to touch the parking brake. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, it may result in serious injury.
  • Always fully apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle to prevent unintended vehicle movement that may injure passengers or pedestrians.

Check the brake warning light by turning the ignition switch ON (do not start the engine). This warning light illuminates when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in the START or ON position.

Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off.

If the brake system warning light remains on after releasing the parking brake while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction in the brake system. Immediate attention is required.

If possible, stop driving the vehicle immediately. If this is not possible, drive the vehicle with extreme caution and continue only until you reach a safe place or a repair shop.

Test yourself

A quick Kia Optima DL3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.