Handbrake Usage Question/Debate

Dogbreath · 13 Feb 2006 at 14:06

Firestar_3x said:
Everyone I have ever seen press the button in yanks the handbrake up further than it needs to go to hold the car, if you don't press the button in you know how many click on the leaver it takes to hold the car so you don't need to pull on it as much hence not stretching the cable as much

If you apply the handbrake by always counting the same number of clicks, then sooner or later you are going to have a horrible surprise when you car rolls off. New cables always stretch to a certain extent, and combined with pad/shoe wear, the number of clicks is never constant, even over the life of the rear pads/shoes. The *only* way you can reliably tell how hard the brake is being applied is via the force you apply to the lever (assuming nothing has seized).

Firestar_3x · 13 Feb 2006 at 14:09

Dogbreath said:
If you apply the handbrake by always counting the same number of clicks, then sooner or later you are going to have a horrible surprise when you car rolls off.

That quite extreme though isn't it, people adapt automatically to the situation, also using the handbrake in this manner is a good guide to wear and tear of your rear brakes and the handbrake cable itself.

Mark

toy_soldier · 13 Feb 2006 at 15:03

My driving instructor told me that if you pull it up with out pressing the button it eventually damages the break cable, I guess it would take years to make a difference though.

Dogbreath · 13 Feb 2006 at 15:14

Firestar_3x said:
That quite extreme though isn't it, people adapt automatically to the situation,

My point was that if you go by the tension in the cable i.e. force at the handbrake lever, then yes you automaticly compensate. By pulling the lever up x number of clicks you do not. Within reason, the number of clicks needed is irrelevant, as long as handbrake travel is not excessive, nor too tight.

siztenboots · 13 Feb 2006 at 17:32

My driving instructor told me to press the button, previously my dad who taught me the basics did not bother with the button.

atpbx · 13 Feb 2006 at 17:44

The ratchetts do wear out, but even on a multidrop van you are looking at 100k before they need replacing.
And then it isnt a huge amount.

Mackass · 13 Feb 2006 at 17:46

I remember on my first driving lesson, I kept pulling the handbrake up without pressing the button. But coming to think of it now, I'd rather press the button to avoid that *crunch* sound.

lordrobs · 13 Feb 2006 at 17:51

I don't use the button but then again my handbrake only clicks twice.

Some manufacturers actually state not to press the button to "prevent the possibility of stretching the hand brake cable"

Mad old tory · 13 Feb 2006 at 18:07

lordrobs said:
I don't use the button but then again my handbrake only clicks twice.

Some manufacturers actually state not to press the button to "prevent the possibility of stretching the hand brake cable"

Why would they put a button on then?

DRZ · 13 Feb 2006 at 18:19

Mad old tory said:
Why would they put a button on then?

So that parking a car on your driveway the day you bought it doesnt turn it into an ornament?

rG-tom · 13 Feb 2006 at 18:27

Mad old tory said:
Why would they put a button on then?

urmm how woud you release the handbrake otherwise

Tom.