How do You Apply the Handbrake?

Jokester · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:32

Ever since being chastised during a driving lesson for just pulling the lever and making it go click-click-click, I've for the past 10+ years always pushed the release button in before pulling.

Today I've received what I guess is a safety advisory from Honda, stating that this is the incorrect way for the new Civic as there is a risk of the latch not catching properly resulting in the vehicle rolling if it's out of gear.

So how do you do it?

Jokester

BigglesPiP · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:34

I press the button, but I don't drive a Honda.

Clarkey · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:38

usually pull it up with the button in, then give it another click to be sure. Unless I can't be arsed of course. The whole wearing out the ratchet story that they give you is a bunch of bull IMO, only reason I pull the button in is because I don't particularly like the noise it makes.

Lead_Head · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:38

I push the button in and have a go at anyone that doesn't. That noise the ratchet makes does not sound healthy, so why do people do it?

Incidently I was also 'told off' by my driving instructor for not pushing the button in so ever since I've just done it?

Stick your Civic in gear and it'll be fine anyway?

dalin80 · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:40

push the button in, leaving it too ratchet up does wear a few bits quicker but i cant say i remember seeing a mechanism fail due to it yet.

Craig321 · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:40

Jokester said:
Ever since being chastised during a driving lesson for just pulling the lever and making it go click-click-click, I've for the past 10+ years always pushed the release button in before pulling.

Today I've received what I guess is a safety advisory from Honda, stating that this is the incorrect way for the new Civic as there is a risk of the latch not catching properly resulting in the vehicle rolling if it's out of gear.

So how do you do it?

Jokester

I always press the button.

Matt-Page · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:41

Yank it up hard, before and sometimes mid corner....

Seriously though, i pull push the button first, as my driving instructor said the same thing.

GeX · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:41

i pull the lever.. er that's it. the button is to realease the ratchet. it's a ratchet, its meant to make that noise. do you flinch everytime a socket driver makes a clicky noise?

csmager · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:43

GeX said:
i pull the lever.. er that's it. the button is to realease the ratchet. it's a ratchet, its meant to make that noise. do you flinch everytime a socket driver makes a clicky noise?

I'd agree with that, but for the exact same reason as Jokester (being told off by my instructor), I've always pressed the button in first. The noise isn't that pleasant, so it has a plus.

PiKe · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:43

Push the button in, driving instructor said so

Hilly · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:44

Always done it by just pulling the lever.

As it also states in my handbook, you are not meant to press the button to pull it up, oly to release it.

jimblowscash · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:45

just leave the car in gear..... problem solved

West · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:46

Button and then pull on the last click

Tom|Nbk · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:49

Depends sometimes I'll push the button and pull the lever and over times I'll just pull the lever up

Clarkey · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:55

Since I have my cars handbook right next to me, I might as well quote what it says about the parking brake.

To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully engage the parking brake, and then move the gearshift lever to 1st (on facing uphill) or Reverse (on facing downhill) position. ("P" position on an automatic transmission)

1 - To apply, pull the lever up without pushing the button at the end of the grip.

GreenMint · 30 Nov 2007 at 16:57

On my 54 plate Civic i always pull it up with the button in, partially due to the god awful noise if you don't, and i just...well...do!

Did the same on the new Civics when Honda gave me them as lease cars too, and wasn't told to not do!

izzy eckerslike · 30 Nov 2007 at 17:01

This reminds me of when I first hired a car in the USA & the 'parking brake ' is operated with your foot as its a pedal, next morning we came out the villa & couldn't fathom out how to release it lol as pushing it made it click & lock further,a bloke from the house next door spotted our dilemma & pointed out that you have to push down & hold & it to release the brake, :mad:

Adz · 30 Nov 2007 at 17:01

Put foot on footbrake, lift tiny rocker switch up, check red light is on.

Levers? Pffft.

My driving instructor told me off for pulling the handbrake on without pushing the button as it would "damage the ratchet". Surely that's a ratchet is designed for!?

Jokester · 30 Nov 2007 at 17:03

Adz said:
My driving instructor told me off for pulling the handbrake on without pushing the button as it would "damage the ratchet". Surely that's a ratchet is designed for!?

The ratchet is only there to lock it place once the lever is pulled, whilst it's being pulled it's position is irrelevant.

Jokester

Adz · 30 Nov 2007 at 17:04

Jokester said:
The ratchet is only there to lock it place once the lever is pulled, whilst it's being pulled it's position is irrelevant.

Jokester

That's my point - it's designed to allow you to pull it one way but stop it moving in the other direction whilst engaged. That's what it's for!