Handbrake vs Footbrake

[Dr Who]

Has this been discussed before?

If I am stopping at a junction/lights/heavy traffic etc I usually apply the Handbrake if I am going to be stationary for more than 3-5 seconds, any less and I just don't bother.

Now best practice always used to be apply handbrake as soon as you stop as a rear end collision makes you take your foot off the brake (in old cars with poor seats etc and even with modern cars and a soft foot brake application this is true) however, I have always kept one eye on my rear view mirror and applied my foot brake harder if I feel a collision is impending. Additionally a rear end collision of any magnitude is enough to brake the handbrake sticktion and also lift the rear wheels rendering a handbrake application next to useless on it's own anyway.


Additionally many modern cars use a supplementary disk brake as a handbrake which is only just enough to hold the car on a hill and way less effective than the main braking system.

Dazzling from brake lights is what some people whinge about, but during daylight hours I don't see this as an issue but at night time it is annoying with some brake lights.

So in a nutshell, I am interested in peoples experiences of using the handbrake and foot brake at junctions/lights etc and how long you typically would expect to use only the foot brake alone before applying the handbrake?

PS. I drive and Auto and use a foot operated handbrake which is a nuisance to use.

 

[Uriel]

My Insight 2's autostop only engages with a foot on the brake. I normally stop, apply handbrake (a proper one - none of this foot-parking-brake nonesense) and neutral and keep my foot on the footbrake until the engine starts again.

If the climate control isn't running and the car's warmed up, the engine will stay off indefinitely. With climate control it's a belt-driven compressor or heat from the engine so that over-rides autostop.

Does anyone actually find that they get dazzled by brake lights?

 

[Dr Who]

My Insight 2's autostop only engages with a foot on the brake. I normally stop, apply handbrake (a proper one - none of this foot-parking-brake nonesense) and neutral and keep my foot on the footbrake until the engine starts again.

If the climate control isn't running and the car's warmed up, the engine will stay off indefinitely. With climate control it's a belt-driven compressor or heat from the engine so that over-rides autostop.

Does anyone actually find that they get dazzled by brake lights?

Do you apply the handbrake every time or when you expect to be stopped for over a certain length of time?

Does this vary say at traffic lights or a stop sign?

 

[B@Th*nG]

if i'm stopping even for a second and the car's facing up hill i'll pull the handbrake up (with my finger on the button) so i can switch from stationary to moving forwards without rolling at all - why play the piano with your feet when you can just give it a quick tug.. oo err.

otherwise if it's more than a few seconds i'll stick the handbrake on, but even then if it's completely flat i'll use zero brakes, which is probably poor form if you get hit from behind

B@

 

[alexthecheese]

I have never given it that much thought.

Handbrake after 30 seconds, probably. In a crash if you had your foot on the brake, it would only be on there for a fraction of a second.

 

[Tomcat825]

Handbrake if stopped on a hill, generally only apply it on flats if I'm there for 10s +

 

[MooMoo444]

Handbrake if hill, because it's too risky to quickly let go of footbrake while trying to put enough power down to stop a roll backwards. Otherwise footbrake does the job, sometimes you don't need either so I just sit there.

 

[DanTheMan]

I mainly use the foot brake during the day unless I know I'm going to be there over 30 seconds or so. At night I always use the handbrake so I don't dazzle people. I quite frequently use nothing if the car stays still on its own, which is probably not such a wise move.

 

[!bluetonic!]

I'd advocate the handbrake and into neutral if you've judged you'll be there >20 seconds.

However, if you're at the back of a queue, I'd use handbrake for safety and footbrake to keep your rear lights lit up until the person behind you is likely to see you and stop.

 

[NathWraith]

normal brakes, unless im on a steep hill/parked up for ages e.g. rail crossings

 

[Maccy]

Handbrake all the time, and only put the indicator on once the lights have gone green. I'm considerate (most of the time).

 

[pepp77]

I used to use the handbrake only at hills like others, but since getting my new Focus with Stop/Start and Hill assist I know use the foot brake for everything as you need to use it for the stop/start to function and if you are on a hill greater than 3degrees using the footbrake turns on the hill assist which keeps the brake applied for about 3 seconds after lifting off the footbrake to allow you to pull away with no roll back.

 

[mjt]

I rarely use the handbrake unless I'm stopped on a hill or it's a long phase at the lights.

Even when parked it's normally just left in gear. Unless the slope is particularly steep.

 

[Uriel]

Do you apply the handbrake every time or when you expect to be stopped for over a certain length of time?

Does this vary say at traffic lights or a stop sign?

Only apply the handbrake if I think I'm going to be there for a few seconds or more, or if there's a hill.

My car uses CVT with automated clutch not a torque converter. It has hill start assist with the autostop (keeps the brakes applied automatically until the engine / clutch kicks in) but it's not foolproof. It needs you to stop with reasonable brake force to engage and I tend to be quite light footed. On a hill I'll use the handbrake as a matter of course, same as I would in a manual.

 

[mjt]

Tell you what though, automatic handbrakes coupled with automatic transmissions are über win!

 

[Theophany]

Handbrake if I think I'll be stationary for more 10 or more seconds. Don't really see the need to keep my foot on the brake or clutch for any significant time whilst stationary.

 

[Trifid]

Foot brake nearly all the time in the VX unless it is a really steep hill. The handbrake is a little awkward to get to and usually involves elbowing the passenger. Other cars I tend to mix it up a bit more.

 

[ZXSpectrum]

Only apply the handbrake if I think I'm going to be there for a few seconds or more, or if there's a hill.

My car uses CVT with automated clutch not a torque converter. It has hill start assist with the autostop (keeps the brakes applied automatically until the engine / clutch kicks in) but it's not foolproof. It needs you to stop with reasonable brake force to engage and I tend to be quite light footed. On a hill I'll use the handbrake as a matter of course, same as I would in a manual.

My Lexus does the same but you only have to feather the throttle to get it to disengage. Maybe is because its the Hybrid.

 

[ZXSpectrum]

Tell you what though, automatic handbrakes coupled with automatic transmissions are über win!

This..

 

[Quinnaay]

I literally never apply the handbrake, other than parking, even on hills i just sit with it on bite. Bad habbits i guess.