How do You Apply the Handbrake?

jaykay · 2 Dec 2007 at 13:15

Jokester said:
The button is to release the rachet so you can take the handbreak off .

Jokester

Well then, why dont half of you use it. :confused:

Jokester · 2 Dec 2007 at 13:19

jaykay said:
Well then, why dont half of you use it.

Everybody uses it to release the brake, using the button to apply it though is optional.

Jokester

loltim · 2 Dec 2007 at 13:21

jaykay said:
Well then, why dont half of you use it.

You don't drive do you?

edit- age in your profile confirms.

cossey3 · 2 Dec 2007 at 14:18

button in, i find its easier to tell if you are getting the right tension on the cables that way and to feel if the adjusters need doing etc but that more for old cars but i do tend to let it click up the last bit to make sure its firmly on

Mark A · 2 Dec 2007 at 15:36

Hmm reading this thread i might start leaving my car in gear. I park up just in front of a BMW so wouldn't want to roll back if the HB fails :eek:

. I was always taught to leave the car in neutral but i always press the clutch down before starting it up anyway.

Clarkey · 2 Dec 2007 at 15:39

Mark A said:
Hmm reading this thread i might start leaving my car in gear. I park up just in front of a BMW so wouldn't want to roll back if the HB fails . I was always taught to leave the car in neutral but i always press the clutch down before starting it up anyway.

Well you were taught wrong then, just like everyone was taught wrong to press the button in. Amazing on how you are told to ignore the cars manual on how to drive it, yet if asked on the test about tyre pressures you have to tell them you would look in the manual to find them :/

Efaws · 2 Dec 2007 at 15:47

Never, ever pressed the button when applying

And in 4 years, my car has never rolled away.

Lopéz · 2 Dec 2007 at 16:04

My instructor taght me to use the button because the noise "did his head in"

Fair enough IMO.

sloth · 2 Dec 2007 at 16:30

My instructor taught me to use the button because the mechanism was most likely made of plastic, and would likely break over time.

Personally, I pull up the handbrake tight whilst pressing the button, release button, then pull up one click.

I got one of these letters from Honda yesterday. I'm thinking there must have been a serious accident before they are sending every new Civic owner an information booklet + letter by recorded delivery.

5tephen · 2 Dec 2007 at 16:32

A 6-page thread on pulling a stick, whatever next

monkeygremlin · 2 Dec 2007 at 17:39

Always used the button when applying and in 16 years my car has never rolled away.

pitchfork · 2 Dec 2007 at 18:24

ajgoodfellow said:
I've always pressed the button in - ever since being told off by my driving instructor over 6 years ago when I didn't!

You do everything your driving instructor told you?

insane200 · 2 Dec 2007 at 19:11

i just yank it up, sometimes with the button pressed some times without.

Alibaba99 · 2 Dec 2007 at 20:48

I always depress the button, pull the lever up until I can feel the tension in the cables, release button and wait for final click. Its a habit built up from many years but mainly from my old Saab 99. The front handbrake mechanism required a large amount of lever travel for the adjuster system to work, so letting that click through 8 notches would just do my head in.

Duke · 2 Dec 2007 at 21:37

I press the button in.

Felix Da Housecat · 2 Dec 2007 at 21:49

push the button

Hayley-K · 2 Dec 2007 at 21:49

5tephen said:
A 6-page thread on pulling a stick, whatever next

Was just thinking that myself.

Anyway after being told off by my driving instructor I now press the button in. although on a hill sometimes I won't just to have the satisfaction of hearing its on. I never leave my car in gear as form experience I forget to take it out before turning the engine on and jump forward.

Clarkey · 2 Dec 2007 at 23:34

Hayley-K said:
Was just thinking that myself.

Anyway after being told off by my driving instructor I now press the button in. although on a hill sometimes I won't just to have the satisfaction of hearing its on. I never leave my car in gear as form experience I forget to take it out before turning the engine on and jump forward.

I hate people who don't even check their car isn't in gear before hitting the starter, it's like they are not even paying attention to their actions, which could result in a whole bunch of damage/injury, as such it makes me a nervous passenger before the engine is even started.

volospian · 3 Dec 2007 at 09:34

Clarkey said:
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.

the same here!

IAmATeaf · 3 Dec 2007 at 09:57

I push the button in for 2/3-3/4 of the travel then pull it up further with the click-click sound. I recently told my wife off as she just yanks the handbrake lever up, she looked at me and that's how it's designed to be used, from this thread it looks like she may be right - damn