How can you check if the spring brakes come on automatically?

To determine if the spring brakes come on automatically, parking on level ground is the most effective method. When you park your vehicle on level ground, it provides a stable and consistent environment to observe the function of the spring brakes without the interference of gravitational forces.

In this scenario, you can engage the parking brake system and remove your foot from the service brake. If properly functioning, the spring brakes should activate automatically, effectively preventing the vehicle from rolling when it is in a stationary position. A level surface minimizes variables, allowing for a straightforward check of the braking system's effectiveness.

Parking on ice or gravel introduces factors that could affect the vehicle's stability and the braking performance, while a slope would also modify the way the vehicle behaves with the brakes engaged, potentially leading to an inaccurate conclusion about whether the spring brakes operate correctly.