How Serious Is It to Drive Several Kilometers with the Handbrake On?
1 Answers
The following are the consequences of driving several kilometers with the handbrake on: 1. Severe brake pad wear: Driving with the handbrake engaged causes significant brake wear. The most direct effects are accelerated wear of the brake discs and hardening of the brake pads due to overheating, as well as stretching of the handbrake cable. This leads to reduced braking performance, and the burnt smell sometimes noticed by the driver comes from this. In severe cases, smoke may appear from the rear of the car. 2. Tire damage: Driving with the handbrake on also damages the tires. Keeping the handbrake engaged for a long time can cause the rear wheels to lock up, leading to smoke from friction and potentially causing brake failure.