Does the Handbrake Control the Front or Rear Wheels?

[TaylorAnn]

The handbrake controls the rear wheels, as it typically uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes. In most cars, the handbrake primarily acts on the rear wheels. While the foot brake (service brake) simultaneously stops all four wheels, the handbrake usually engages the non-driven wheels due to space constraints within the wheel assembly. In most vehicles, the non-driven wheels are the rear wheels. The parking braking force required by the handbrake is relatively low, making a simple cable mechanism sufficient, unlike the foot brake which employs various braking devices. The handbrake is part of the vehicle's braking system, which is further divided into: service braking system, parking braking system, emergency braking, safety braking, and auxiliary braking systems.