Just drove a little bit with parking break on...safe?

[Tristicus]

So, I recently have been driving this 1990 Isuzu Amigo around, and I've been getting used to it being a manual. While just taking a quick strole around the neighborhood...couldn't have been more than five minutes at probably nothing past 30, I noticed a bit of a smell...like burning rubber. Now, all the other times I've driven I've taken my brake off, and I did it this time, however not all of the way. I didn't even notice the brake light on for that period of time. It did smell a bit, and I think I saw some smoke (could have been muffler, as it as just as I stopped and checked), however, I then took it out for another ride around, and it seemed fine...am I good? I know, beginner mistake, but just checking my ass.

 

[LTC8K6]

You're fine. You didn't go long enough and you didn't have the brake on all the way.

 

[Tristicus]

Okay, thanks. The smell got to me though...I don't want to have the pads worn out. The smell just seems to linger there...like if you're standing beside the car. I assume it will go away...

 

[LTC8K6]

Right when you stop, the temp goes up a bit more because of heat soak and the sudden lack of airflow.

You'll also get that smell and maybe a bit of smoke with a bit of spirited driving and hard braking. You'd be surprised how hot they get in a hurry if you use them hard.

 

[Tristicus]

Alright. I'll notice if I need new pads anyways if it starts to brake harder or something..right? I was just wondering why it wasn't accelerating all that fast..dumb me.

 

[brblx]

i'm sure a '90 isuzu has rear drums or if by some chance discs, a drum parking brake under the rotor hat.

if the parking brake still works when depressed fully, you're fine. it may need to be adjusted. worst case, the heat can cause the shoes (especially old ones) to crack and the friction material will start to come off. probably not the case. but 10-20 year old brake shoes can certainly fall apart, it's something to look at as a part of regular maintenance (most cars with rear drums won't need shoes for 75-100k or more).

 

[JDub02]

i just did that in my truck. i was rolling down the highway wondering why my truck was acting weird. parking brake was one. it's hard to tell because it's a foot operated lever and my brake light is always on because my ABS doesn't work anymore. overall, not a big deal except for some accelerated brake wear.

 

[MotF Bane]

I did that once in my parents' car, got it up to about 40, drove around for 10 minutes, smell lingered for a while after. Seems fine, and it's been a couple years.

 

[monk3yboy]

Oh yeah been there done that one with my first car. Only thing that needed fixing was my ego. Although my little brothers friends thought it was hilarious.

 

[mb]

I'm always on the road, and I drive rental cars. Sometimes I don't know what's going on with the car, and I'll drive for ten miles with the emergency brake on. That doesn't say a lot for me, but it doesn't say a lot for the emergency brake. What kind of emergency is this? I need to not stop now. It's not really an emergency brake, it's an emergency make-the-car-smell-funny lever.
-Mitch Hedberg

 

[reallyscrued]

Originally posted by: mb

I'm always on the road, and I drive rental cars. Sometimes I don't know what's going on with the car, and I'll drive for ten miles with the emergency brake on. That doesn't say a lot for me, but it doesn't say a lot for the emergency brake. What kind of emergency is this? I need to not stop now. It's not really an emergency brake, it's an emergency make-the-car-smell-funny lever.
-Mitch Hedberg

Hahha, omg, I love that bit.