Is there a way to disable the EPB so they never work?
You never said what vehicle. Is this an Emergency Brake or a Parking Brake? Seems like an Emergency Parking Brake is unnecessary if you're already in park.
You really don't want to do that. What do you plan to do in an emergency situation? Open the door and drag your foot?
EPB can be turned off for brake servicing but not permanently.
I have almost never had to use the emergency break. I leave it in park and let the transmission hold the car. And I wouldn't want it to suddenly turn itself on while i am doing 65 mph. I only trust electronics just so far.
If you find yourself careening out of control, you'll want that brake...65mph or no. What is better: a chance to survive, or likely death striking a solid obstacle at that speed? Too many people have too much of a dislike of technology. The reason it exists, is because there was a need for it. Otherwise it wouldn't be in use for years.
do these electronic ones even work when the vehicle is moving?
Some have a safety over ride that will not engage the brake, but most engage it. However, it should be noted that (to my knowledge) no models allow the rear brakes to lock. Basically, the brake acts the same as if you stomped on the regular brakes. A quick stop, but zero lock up.
scary
Yes it is. I would not recommend it unless you have a true emergency. But it still does serve a purpose similar to its manually engaged cousins. Fortunately I've never had to do a high speed e-brake engagement. Hope I never do.
Did you check your owner's manual?
I've seen ones that can be switched from automatic to manual (manual meaning you push a button)
I have almost never had to use the emergency break
"brake"
Emergencies aren't supposed to happen often.
I leave it in park and let the transmission hold the car.
What happens if the transmission fails? Shift levers are known to get stuck. What if the parking pawl wears out (which is more likely when you don't use a parking brake) or you get hit while on a steep hill? Just let it roll away?
And I wouldn't want it to suddenly turn itself on while i am doing 65 mph
when has this happened? It this 1/1,000,000,000 probability worth the lack of parking brake?
and?
You still need a parking brake. If you don't like electronics ones then don't buy the car.
I just asked the question to find out if i have the choice to turn them off or not. Some day i might be buying a car with them, if i had a choice to use them or not.
I guess if feel like Scotty on this subject. video about breaks starts about 5:58 through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DInXs4a7q8
for the 2nd time it's "brakes"
I saw your question, and I said read the manual. That's where they put operating instructions.
How am I supposed to know what your hypothetical car will have "some day"?
If you often park at a steep angle it's pretty bad for the transmission if you don't use the parking brake.
Very true. It can damage the parking pawl which is not designed to hold the weight of the vehicle which is another reason for why parking brakes exist.
The parking pawl is very strong. It can easily hold the weight of the vehicle. But if you keep abusing it, then over a long time the tip COULD wear down to the point where he pawl might pop out an no longer hold the vehicle. But I've never seen it. The main reason for using the parking brake on STEEP inclines, is that if there's too much pressure on the parking pawl it could get stuck. It's not the end of the world. There are ways to get it unstuck, but it's a pain the butt. The other reason is just as a backup in case the unthinkable happens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh988eSAPc8
I didn't say it's going to damage it right away but the way the original question was asking to permanently disable it and never use it I think it can get to the point of damaging it at some point based on the first part of below video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULcSauSJrsY
Well the name is on it, an emergency, which means it can suddenly happen and doesn't have anything to do with if you've had to use it before or not. Also, you might want to see the first bit of the video linked below about using parking brakes instead of leaving the weight of the vehicle on the transmission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULcSauSJrsY
This is NOT an emergency brake, it is an EPB (electronic parking brake.)
There's probably a fuse you can pull, and there's certainly a wire you can cut. I think it's a bad idea but hey it's your car.
I wouldn't suggest going around cutting brake wires. I know you said you think it is a bad idea (it is a REALLY bad idea), but just thought I would put this disclaimer here.
I've been looking at this post since yesterday. To clarify, an EPB is a electric parking brake that can also be used only in emergencies to slow or stop a vehicle. It's dual purpose. An automatic transmission parking pawl is quite strong but over time they do become worn and will no longer hold the vehicle even on a modest incline. You could easily discover things have reached this point when you least expect it, like once you've exited the vehicle and locked the doors. Very dangerous, I've seen it happen. Another point I'd like to make is that it's against the law to disable an EPB in most if not all states. I can't imagine your local State Trooper saying no problemo to that one. The state where I live requires annual safety inspections and they won't pass a vehicle without a working parking brake. I have also heard that EPBs tend to seize up if not exercised regularly. You should definitely reconsider.
Not sure why the add comment section doesn't work on this question but in response to @Doc I know that EPB is the electronic parking brake. But as oldguysrule stated above the electronic parking brake is also used as an emergency brake so not sure of why the down vote on my comment regarding not disabling the EPB because it is there to be used in emergencies too. The EPB is basically the parking brake but a newer technology of it, but just as the old parking brake could be used for holding the vehicle when parked on a steep hill or for an emergency, the same is true for the electronic parking brake with the difference that now it's electronic and a different system.
"If you pull up and hold the electric parking brake switch while driving, the brakes on all four wheels are applied by the VSA® system until the vehicle comes to a stop. The electric parking brake then applies, and the switch should be released."
The above is from the owners manual of a newer car which shows that the electric/electronic parking brake can be used when driving (in an emergency for sure).
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/parking-brake-vs-emergency-brake-whats-the-difference/
Doesn't matter how you or NAPA characterize this feature, it is still an ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE.
@Doc well I never said it is not an electronic parking brake so I don't know what your point is by saying it in BOLD that it's an electronic parking brake. If you read the response by the OP before my response they said they have never had to use emergency braking so I said never having had to use it does not mean an emergency would never happen because an emergency happens suddenly so it's not a good idea to disable the electronic parking brake which can be used in case of an emergency. But if you just want to keep on saying you know EPB stands for electronic parking brake then good for you for knowing this (everyone knows it by now).
does it work if your battery is dead?
Please people don't make this forum look like twitter. PLEASE