The parking or emergency, brake is not used in normal highway driving, but is valuable in holding the motor car in place when stopped.

Auto mechanic Andrew Brown explains that "the parking brake is linked independently with the rear wheels and will normally remain effective if the main system fails".

Brown, however, warns that the parking brake should be used sparingly as it is only half as powerful. He explains that if a driver simply clamps this brake in the event of brake failure, the stopping power will probably fade to nothing in a few seconds.

count the clicks

Now as the parking-brake cable is used over a period of time, it will stretch. It is interesting, but a motorist can determine whether the cable has stretched too far by counting the number of clicks it takes until the brake engages. If there are six or more clicks, the parking brake needs adjusting. How do we adjust the parking brake without any sweat? Follow these steps:

1: Simply engage the parking brake until it clicks once.

2: Raise and support the motor car.

3: Inspect the cable for frayed and crimped areas. If the cable is damaged, replace it.

4: Carefully examine the adjusting mechanism. If it is rusted, immediately apply penetrating oil.

5: Spread white lithium grease on all the friction surfaces and along the cable itself. This keeps the cable from binding. "A cable that binds can cause brake linings to scrape against the rear brake drums, and can lead to premature brake wear, says Brown.

6: Tighten the adjusting nut a little at a time as you turn a rear wheel. "Stop turning the adjusting nut when the rear wheel begins to drag," Brown advises. "Release the parking brake from inside the motor car and again turn the rear wheel." He says that there should be no drag. If there is, back off the adjusting nut until the drag disappears.

The adjusting mechanisms: On some cars, with the bucket seats, the adjusting nut is inside the car at the base of the parking-brake handle. In order to reach it, motorists should unscrew or pry off the rubber dust boot.

- Paul Messam