If you live in climates where cold weather is common then it could cause problems for your brakes. Mechanically speaking, cold temperatures don’t actually ruin your vehicle’s brakes. But what they can do is cause your brake rotors and pads to wear out faster. The reason for this has to do with the slippery conditions of the roads when there is ice, snow or slush on them. When a vehicle’s tires move over a slippery road it will cause its brakes to work more ineffectively.
Aggressive driving conditions like these will eventually cause your brake pads to form cracks in them. Once these cracks form, the dirt, water, and cold air from the outside will get into the cracks of your brake pads.
Then these elements will find their way to your brake lines and ultimately impair the brakes. The cold air will end up freezing the brake lines which will create noticeable noises like grinding and squeaking after you step on the brake pedal.
That is why every auto mechanic will tell you that changing your brake pads periodically is essential in order to protect the brake line of your vehicle. This goes double for people who live in colder areas. You should have a diagnostic test performed on your car at least every six months if you experience lots of cold weather, especially if the weather creates ice and snow on the roads. If you notice the symptoms of faulty brake pads and you ignore the problem then it will eventually cause your rotors to get damaged.
Then you’ll have to pay a ton of money to get them fixed. But furthermore, you are putting your life and the lives of your passengers in danger if you continue to drive on slippery roads with brake pads that have cracks in them.
Start the car to allow it to warm up. If ice is preventing the release of your parking brake, warming up the car can help melt the ice and free the brake. Start the car and leave it running for at least 10 minutes before attempting to release the parking brake.
Inspect the parking brake and cable for ice. The parking brake is connected to the brake shoe on one of your tires by a thin black cable. If you aren’t sure which one it’s connected to, check the owner’s manual for the vehicle or look online. Then, inspect the parking brake and the parking cable for ice or damage. A brake shoe is a long, curved piece of metal pressed against the brake drums.
If you see damage, corrosion, rust, or other problems with the parking brake or cable, contact a certified mechanic.
Source credit: https://www.wikihow.com/Free-a-Frozen-Parking-Brake
