What condition should the parking brake cables avoid?

The condition that parking brake cables should avoid is being badly stretched, frayed, or not operating properly. This is crucial for the safety and reliability of the vehicle's parking brake system. If the cables are in poor condition, they may not effectively engage or disengage the parking brake, which can lead to the vehicle rolling unexpectedly when parked. A properly functioning parking brake is essential to prevent accidents, especially on inclines where a vehicle might otherwise roll away. Ensuring that the cables are in good condition helps maintain the effectiveness of the parking brake, which is a critical part of vehicle safety during stops and when parked.

Other conditions, such as being loosely connected, having a loose linkage, or being too short, can also impact performance but do not directly refer to the overall operational integrity of the brake cables like the specified condition does. Hence, avoiding bad stretching, fraying, or malfunctioning ensures that the safety mechanism is in optimal working order.