How Many Clicks to Tighten the Handbrake?
3 Answers
Handbrake needs to be pulled 5-7 clicks to tighten. Generally, pulling the handbrake between five to seven clicks is the normal position. The correct method to pull the handbrake is to press the small button with the thumb pad and then pull the handbrake gently. You should clearly hear the sound of the handbrake being pulled, and it should be pulled to about 70%, which is the optimal working point for the handbrake. Electronic Handbrake: The electronic handbrake is a configuration with a simple and elegant appearance, easy to use, and commonly found in mid-range cars and above. However, the response speed of the electronic handbrake is relatively slow. Manually pulling and releasing the handbrake takes no more than 0.3 seconds, and manual control is more flexible than electronic control. Activating the electronic handbrake requires a pre-action of stepping on the brake and the response time of the button (to avoid misoperation), and the motor operation time is also relatively long, about 0.5 seconds. Even when the electronic handbrake is automatically released while stepping on the accelerator, this action can feel somewhat abrupt. Mechanical Handbrake: For the most common mechanical handbrake, the first thing to note is not to pull it up forcefully every time you park, and especially not to pull it all the way to the end. Overstretching the metal or keeping it stretched for a long time will accelerate deformation, leading to faster wear of the handbrake cable's braking performance. The correct practice is to pull the handbrake until the rear wheels lock, then lift it 1-2 more clicks to ensure the car does not roll.
That's a great question! I have to say there's no fixed number of clicks for the handbrake—it varies a lot between different car models. My compact car only needs three light clicks, but my buddy's SUV requires four or five. The key is to go by feel—generally pulling to about 70-80% of its travel is sufficient, when you hear a distinct clicking sound and see the dashboard warning light illuminate, that means it's properly engaged. The real test is after parking: shift to neutral and release the foot brake—if the car doesn't budge, you're good. On slopes, don't cut corners—pull it tighter and engage Park gear as double insurance to avoid rolling headaches.
Twenty years of driving experience taught me that the number of handbrake clicks doesn't really matter. It's all about the feel: give it a gentle pull and listen for the clicks - three sounds are usually enough. Remember to pull at about a 70-degree angle, don't foolishly yank it all the way to the top, or you'll damage the cables and waste money on repairs. Once during winter in an underground parking ramp, I pulled five clicks and still had rollback - that's when I learned to always check the rearview mirror to confirm the car is stable before leaving. On really steep slopes, pull a few extra clicks and wedge a brick behind the tires for extra security.
