Can Electronic Handbrake Drift?
4 Answers
Electronic handbrake cannot drift. The following is an introduction to drifting: Introduction: Drifting is a driving technique, also known as "tail sliding," where the driver causes the car to slide sideways by oversteering. Drifting is mainly used in performances or racing activities where road conditions change significantly. Due to the friction characteristics of the road surface, drifting is frequently applied in off-road rally races, while other types of racing rarely use drifting techniques to take corners. This is because drifting on ordinary asphalt roads results in significant speed loss and increased tire wear. Unless for special reasons, drivers do not frequently use this technique during competitions. Conditions for Drifting: The condition for drifting ultimately boils down to one thing: as long as the rotational torque generated by the rear wheel's lateral force at the center of mass is less than the rotational torque generated by the front wheel's lateral force at the center of mass, the rear of the car will slide outward, thereby producing a drift.
The electronic parking brake isn't really suitable for drifting. With over a decade of driving experience, I always prioritize safety. It's designed for smooth parking, using an electronic system to control braking force, unlike traditional mechanical handbrakes that can instantly lock the rear wheels. Drifting requires quickly inducing rear wheel slip to create a sideways angle, but the electronic parking brake might trigger ABS or stability control systems to intervene and correct the direction, potentially causing loss of control or bringing the car to a complete stop. I once tried it in an empty lot—pressing the button only made the car slow down gradually with warning lights flashing, making drifting impossible and actually unsafe. For drifting, modified vehicles or rear-wheel-drive cars with manual brake systems are more appropriate. It's best not to attempt stunts with electronic parking brake-equipped cars; accidents causing injuries or damage would be regrettable. Just use it normally for parking and avoid fancy maneuvers.
As someone who enjoys delving into automotive technology, the working mechanism of electronic parking brakes makes them unsuitable for drifting. Driven by an electric motor, they apply braking force progressively with a single-button operation and may be monitored and intervened by the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. The essence of drifting lies in instantly locking the tires to induce skidding, but electronic parking brakes typically offer only limited or progressive braking, making it difficult to achieve the desired loss of control. I've tested several different car models—once activated, the system automatically stabilizes the body to prevent skidding, causing the drift maneuver to fail. Unless you can completely disable all assist systems (which is both dangerous and prone to triggering fault codes), electronic parking brakes simply can't deliver. True drifting enthusiasts prefer the direct control of mechanical handbrakes, as the electronic version is only suited for everyday parking scenarios.
I've tried drifting with the electronic handbrake a few times, and it's always been quite troublesome. After pressing the button, the car slows down smoothly without any sensation, unlike the traditional handbrake that makes the car slide as soon as you pull it. Once, I turned off the stability system, and the car started to drift but oversteered, almost flipping over. Drifting requires locking the wheels to slide, but the electronic design is too smart and always tries to keep you stable. The old-fashioned manual one is much more fun.
