* Increased wear and tear on the brake system: The rear brakes (most likely) will overheat significantly, potentially leading to brake fade (reduced braking power) or even damage to the brake pads, rotors, or calipers.
* Reduced fuel efficiency: Dragging the parking brake forces the engine to work harder, consuming more fuel.
* Unusual sounds: You'll likely hear grinding or squealing noises coming from the rear wheels.
* Potential damage to the parking brake cable or mechanism: Constant engagement under load can strain and break the cable or other components of the parking brake system.
* Overheating of the transmission: In some cases, especially with automatic transmissions, the extra strain can cause the transmission to overheat.
* Loss of control: If the parking brake is engaged firmly enough, you might lose control of the vehicle, especially at higher speeds or during turns. The car may pull to one side, and it will be extremely difficult to stop.
* Flat tires (less likely): While less common in modern cars with automatic parking brakes, with forceful engagement you might eventually wear through the rear tires from being dragged, especially if you're driving for a longer period with the parking brake engaged.
In short, driving with the parking brake engaged is dangerous and will damage your car. If you accidentally engage it while driving, release the parking brake immediately. If you find yourself unable to release it, pull over to a safe location and address the issue before proceeding.
