How Serious Is Forgetting to Release the Handbrake While Reversing?
2 Answers
If the car is in motion, it might stall due to the handbrake's effect. If you apply some throttle and reverse normally, there won't be much impact. However, prolonged reversing can affect the brakes. Below are relevant details: 1. Meaning of the Handbrake: The parking brake, commonly known as the handbrake, provides resistance when the car is parked to prevent it from rolling. The parking brake, whether manual or the parking gear in automatic transmissions, locks the drive shaft or rear wheels. The force of the parking brake is much weaker than that of the service brake, just enough to prevent the car from rolling on slopes. 2. Types: There are different types of parking brakes, such as the mechanical ones operated by hand or foot mentioned above. Additionally, high-end vehicles are increasingly adopting electronically controlled parking systems, commonly known as electronic handbrakes.
Having worked in the car industry for over a decade, I've seen the serious consequences of forgetting to release the handbrake while reversing. The main issue is that the rear wheels remain locked, forcing the engine to drag the car backward, causing friction between the brake discs and pads which generates heat—temperatures can soar to hundreds of degrees Celsius. In the short term, this might just wear down the brake pads a bit, but prolonged exposure to such high heat can warp the brake discs, create grooves, or even scorch them. In severe cases, it could even pose a fire hazard. I've handled numerous cases: for instance, someone reversed dozens of meters without releasing the handbrake, resulting in ruined brake discs—replacing them along with inspection fees can cost thousands. Additionally, the handbrake cable is prone to overstretching and snapping, leading to costly and troublesome repairs. My advice is to make it a habit to release the handbrake before shifting gears every time you start the engine, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Cars with electronic handbrakes have an auto-release feature, but don’t rely on it too much.
