Does anyone nowadays bother using their handbrake when sat at traffic lights?

norm

norm

norm

Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2003
Posts
5,594
A genuine observation, but in my experience when waiting at traffic lights nowadays most people will gladly dazzle the driver behind them with the glare from their brake lights instead of setting their handbrake.

This was something I was taught not to do when learning to drive and it's just a general courtesy, but doesn't seem to be given much thought anymore.

Your experience?
 
This is something I was thinking about the other day since the nights started drawing in. I’ll always apply the handbrake as I was taught the same thing. Not much you can do if modern cars allow no choice as mentioned, I’ve got an old car though :D
 
I think anyone with an auto just holds their foot on the brake or uses auto-hold. Only manual drivers would ever use a handbrake although they have auto-hold too so can just keep the clutch pressed in if they don't want to put it in neutral.
 
[TW]Fox said:
My car automatically applies the brake lights when stationary and using the auto hold function. I have no choice about it. I'd imagine almost all modern cars are the same.
Click to expand...
I hadn't realised cars do this until I got my Tesla, my previous car (e92 m3) didn't, although I could put the handbrake on as it's not auto handbrake like most modern cars.
 
Most autos getting the brake lights to turn off when queuing is non-trivial and usually involves going fully into parked (which has complications as well).
 
Rroff said:
Most autos getting the brake lights to turn off when queuing is non-trivial and usually involves going fully into parked (which has complications as well).
Click to expand...
If my car goes into auto-stop I need to put it into Park and apply the handbrake. Anything else and the engine will restart which defeats the purpose of the auto-stop. If I leave it in drive and put the handbrake on and release the brake pedal the car tries to creep and I get it bitching at me.
 
My car doesn't have auto hold either, and is similar to MissChief's. If I come to a stop and conditions are right, stop-start kicks in. If I apply the e-Brake and come off the brake pedal then the engine will fire back up. This is an Alfa Giulia.

My B90 Audi A4 (manual) would turn the engine off and wouldn't turn it back on until the clutch was pressed in, releasing the e-Brake once the clutch was raised towards the bite point.
 
Yes, at night especially so the LED brake lights aren't burned into the retinas of whoever's behind me. It'd be nice if others would return the favour but it rarely happens.
 
Also a manual here and use the handbrake all the time, it's the correct way to do it plus stop start won't work else. It's really annoying sitting behind someone with bright tail lights who are just stepping on the brake pedal, especially in the rain or snow.
 
Last edited:
I was reading up an automatic cars the other day as I'm going to switch to automatic one day

And i have read that to preserve the automatic transmission, the only time when you should be using the hand brake / parking mode , is when your stopping to get out of the car

Also read that when you come to traffic lights on red for example you should use the foot brake only

That true?
 
Last edited:
pastymuncher said:
Also a manual here and use the handbrake all the time, it's the correct way to do it plus stop start won't work else. It's really annoying sitting behind someone with bright tail lights who are just stepping on the brake pedal, especially in the rain or snow.
Click to expand...
It will get worse as auto hold, in my car at least, applies the brake lights.

I like to think that i'm helping the person behind to see their mobile phone a little better, seeing as they are normally using it at lights nowadays.
 
MissChief said:
If my car goes into auto-stop I need to put it into Park and apply the handbrake. Anything else and the engine will restart which defeats the purpose of the auto-stop. If I leave it in drive and put the handbrake on and release the brake pedal the car tries to creep and I get it bitching at me.
Click to expand...
My old man has a 335d i just hit the park button when i am at lights engine stays off till i press the brake to go back in to gear.
 
ShiWarrior said:
I was reading up an automatic cars the other day as I'm going to switch to automatic one day

And i have read that to preserve the automatic transmission, the only time when you should be using the hand brake / parking mode , is when your stopping to get out of the car

Also read that when you come to traffic lights on red for example you should use the foot brake only

That true?
Click to expand...

More or less - depends a bit on the drive type/tech used. Putting it in and out of park from drive will also illuminate reverse lights briefly which tends to panic or confuse people behind.
 
norm said:
A genuine observation, but in my experience when waiting at traffic lights nowadays
Click to expand...

I do it almost all the time. I've had a couple of test drives of cars with fiddly handbrake switches - not levers - and will guess that that plays a part in your complaint.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom