As vehicles adopt electronic parking brakes, shift-by-wire transmissions and additional wheel-speed and ADAS sensors, technicians are finding it increasingly difficult to simply roll a car for alignment, service or towing. Many electronic parking brakes will not release without following a specific procedure, and some shift-by-wire systems require power and a defined sequence before the transmission can be placed in neutral.
These changes mean that workshops need updated diagnostic tools and manufacturer-specific procedures to safely move vehicles without triggering fault codes or damaging drivetrain components. For brake and aftermarket professionals, this has direct implications for service bays, alignment checks and even basic vehicle handling during inspection or repair, as outdated assumptions about rolling a car can lead to costly errors or safety risks.
Distributors and importers supplying replacement parking brake actuators, sensors and related components should ensure their technical documentation and training materials reflect these procedural requirements, helping installers avoid unnecessary comebacks or warranty claims linked to incorrect release or reset procedures.
Source: Brake & Front End