Parking Brake Stuck? Our Brake Repair Experts Can Help!
AMPM Automotive • May 7, 2022
Stuck Parking Brake? Here’s What You Should Do
If you’ve ever had to park on a steep hill, you might have engaged your parking brake to keep your car securely in place. But what happens if your parking brake gets jammed? If a stuck parking brake is preventing you from driving, the brake repair specialists at AMPM Automotive in Rockville, Maryland, are happy to help. Here’s what you need to do if your parking brake is stuck.What is a Parking Brake?
Also called an emergency brake, a parking brake is connected to your car’s rear brakes. When you pull the parking brake lever, which is typically located between the two front seats, the brakes are then engaged. Most drivers only use their parking brake when their car is parked on a steep hill. This is to prevent it from rolling. When your car is parked, a small metal pin called a parking pawl is engaged. This pin is situated in a ring that’s directly attached to your vehicle’s transmission. When you park your car, the parking pawl prevents the shaft in your transmission from turning. However, sometimes, this tiny pin can break. Your emergency brake reduces the risk of your car rolling if the parking pawl should break.Why is My Parking Brake Stuck?
The most common culprits behind a jammed parking brake are rust and corrosion. Dirt and water can erode the cables, causing problems with your braking system. It’s a smart idea to engage your parking brake regularly to prevent corrosion. Cold temperatures may also jam your parking brake. This could simply happen because your e-brake is frozen in place. Turn on your car and let it warm up to resolve the issue. If you’re constantly sharply tugging at your parking brake, it could get jammed. Resist the urge to treat your emergency brake like a strength test at a carnival. Always gently engage it.Expert Brake Repair Services
If your e-brake is stuck or your braking system has an issue, call the certified auto mechanics at AMPM Automotive in Rockville, Maryland, today. Call 301-200-8931 to book your brake repair appointment to stay safe on the road.Discover expert engine repair services at AMPM Automotive in Rockville, MD. Enhance your vehicle's performance today! Schedule an online appointment now.
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If you're buying a used vehicle, bringing one into Maryland, or transferring a title, you're going to need a Maryland state safety inspection before the MVA lets you register it. At AMPM Automotive in Rockville, we're a certified inspection station. We inspect passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks under 10,000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers. Here’s what to know before you schedule. 🗓️ When Do You Need a Maryland Inspection You need a safety inspection if: - You're buying a used vehicle from a private party - You're moving into Maryland with an out-of-state vehicle - You're transferring ownership outside your immediate family - You're re-registering a vehicle that's been sitting a while The MVA won't issue plates without a valid inspection certificate 🚙 What Vehicles We Inspect We inspect: - Passenger cars - SUVs and light-duty trucks under 10,000 lbs - Trailers under 20 feet without air brakes We do not inspect motorcycles, commercial trucks, or trailers with air brakes 🔍 What’s Included in the Inspection Maryland inspections are detailed. Here's what we check ✅ Main Areas We Inspect 🛑 Brakes Pads, rotors, parking brake, hoses, master cylinder ⚙️ Steering and Suspension Ball joints, tie rods, control arms, shocks, bushings 🛞 Tires and Wheels Tread depth, damage, sizing, lug nut condition 💡 Lights and Electrical Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, tag lights, hazard lights, horn 🪟 Windshield and Wipers Visibility, cracks, wiper blades, washer spray 🪞 Mirrors Both side mirrors and the rearview mirror 🔩 Exhaust Leaks, mounts, muffler condition 🚗 Frame and Underside Rust-through, fuel tank mounts, body damage 🪑 Interior Safety Items Seatbelts, horn, odometer, speedometer, door latches, dashboard lights 🚛 Trailer Inspections Tires, lighting, hitch, frame, brakes if equipped 🕶️ Maryland Tint Laws for Inspection We use a meter to check tint on your windows. If it's too dark, the car will fail Legal Tint Limits in Maryland: - Front windows must let in at least 35 percent of light - Rear windows can be darker if both side mirrors are present - Windshield tint is only allowed on the top strip above the AS1 line - Not allowed: mirrored or colored tint like red or amber We can check the tint before starting the full inspection if needed ❌ What If the Vehicle Fails You’ll get a digital inspection report by email showing exactly what failed and why Then you have: - 30 days or 1000 miles - To make the repairs - And bring it back to us for a recheck We only recheck the failed items. If it's something small like a bulb or wiper, we can usually fix it on the spot 💵 How Much It Costs - Most passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs: $135 flat - Trailers: depends on brake setup and axles - Reinspection: no charge for visual checks. If we need to lift the vehicle or use tools, we charge time only Labor rate is $160 per hour using state-regulated inspection time guides ⏱️ How Long It Takes - Cars and SUVs: usually 1.5 to 2 hours - Small trailers: 30 to 60 minutes - Trailers with brakes: up to 90 minutes Drop it off or wait—we’ll text or call when it’s ready 📃 How Long the Certificate Is Good For - Valid for 90 days from the inspection date - 6 months or 1000 miles if it’s held in dealer inventory After that, a full new inspection is required 📍 Schedule an Inspection at AMPM Automotive We follow Maryland law exactly, no games, no fluff. If it passes, it passes. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you why and what to do next AMPM Automotive 11800 Coakley Cir, Rockville MD 20852 (301) 822-4694 Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM Book your inspection online: https://sgenie.io/bvcy9 ❓ Maryland Inspection FAQ 🔧 Can a car fail for window tint Yes. If the front tint blocks too much light, it's an automatic fail ⏳ What if I miss the 30 days or 1000 miles You'll need a brand new full inspection 🚚 Do you inspect motorcycles or diesels No. We only inspect passenger vehicles, SUVs under 10000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers 📝 How do I get the inspection report You’ll receive the full inspection sheet digitally by email right after we complete the inspection
Ensure year-round comfort with expert A/C & heat repair at AMPM Automotive in Rockville, MD. Our certified technicians are ready to help. Schedule an online appointment now!
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