Does the car handbrake control the front or rear brakes?
1 Answers
Generally, the car handbrake controls the rear wheels because it typically uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes, which functions to control the braking of the rear wheels rather than the front wheels. Its primary purpose is to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked. While the foot brake usually engages all four wheels, the handbrake, due to space constraints within the wheel assembly, typically acts on the non-driven wheels, i.e., the rear wheels. For most light passenger cars, the handbrake operates by leveraging the principle of a lever to pull the brake cable, thereby locking the rear brake shoes or calipers. In light to medium-duty trucks and vehicles with a driveshaft, such as SUVs, the handbrake often mechanically locks the brake drum on the driveshaft to achieve braking. The handbrake is frequently used during regular vehicle operation. After parking and turning off the engine, it is essential to engage the handbrake firmly to prevent the car from rolling. Mechanical handbrakes feature a handbrake cable beneath the handbrake lever, which connects to both rear wheels. Electronic handbrakes, on the other hand, have electric motors at each rear wheel; pressing the button activates these motors to clamp the brake pads, ensuring the car does not roll. When driving, it is necessary to release the handbrake; otherwise, it will accelerate wear on both the handbrake system and the tires. When parking on a slope, always ensure the handbrake is fully engaged to avoid rolling. After engaging the handbrake, an indicator light will illuminate on the dashboard, and it will turn off once the handbrake is released.
