How to Release the Handbrake?

[LeIsla]

To operate it properly, you should pull and release gently. Generally, when parking on flat ground, do not pull the handbrake beyond a 45-degree angle. In fact, the handle usually only needs to be pulled halfway to sufficiently stabilize the vehicle. Pay extra attention to avoid damaging the springs inside the handbrake. When pulling the handbrake on a slope, the vehicle may still move slightly even after the handbrake is fully engaged. Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle while driving; always use the foot brake pedal for deceleration. Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle while driving; always use the foot brake pedal for deceleration.

[Bobby]

I've been driving for over a decade, and the handbrake operation is super simple. Sitting in the driver's seat, look down near your feet - left foot for brake, right for accelerator, and that protruding lever in the middle is the handbrake. Grab the button on top of the lever with your palm, keep your thumb pressed down, lift slightly then push all the way down until you hear a click - that means it's fully released. I've seen many beginners forget to press the button and force it, ending up deforming the handbrake spring. After releasing, always check if that red P warning light with exclamation mark on the dashboard goes off - driving with it on will make your rear wheels smoke. If the handbrake is too tight to push down, try wiggling the steering wheel while pressing - this helps when the gears are stuck.

[Gale]

Last week, I just taught my girlfriend how to release the handbrake. The mechanical handbrake is actually like a toy buckle. Hook your finger onto the square button at the top of the lever, feel the spring tension, press it in firmly and hold it down. At this point, the locking teeth of the lever disengage, allowing you to push the metal rod all the way down until it touches the center console. The key point is to keep pressing the button throughout the process and not let go. Last time, one of my trainees released it halfway and got their wrist hurt by the rebound. Nowadays, new cars are trending with electronic parking brakes that automatically release when you shift to D and press the accelerator. However, when learning to drive, you still need to practice with the old-style handbrake, as exam cars all use this type. At the training ground, I've seen trainees with electronic parking brakes forget to release them and end up burning out the clutch plates.

[Harold]

Here's a practical tip: Release the handbrake by lifting first, then pressing down. When instructing students, I often notice they make the mistake of pressing straight down, forcing it when encountering resistance. The correct method is to press the button, lift the lever about half a centimeter until you hear a slight click (disengaging the locking hook), then press down. This is especially important for German cars - VW handbrakes have particularly stiff teeth. A friend once drove halfway with the handbrake engaged on the highway, only noticing smoking rear wheels when smelling burning at the toll booth. To check if the handbrake is fully released: besides watching the dashboard warning light, gently lift the clutch on a slope - if the car doesn't noticeably rise, it's properly released.

[VonJessica]

It's quite interesting how handbrake positions vary across different vehicles. In Japanese cars, it's often located below the steering wheel on the right side, reachable by bending over. American pickup trucks place it on the left door panel, while older Mercedes-Benz models use a foot-operated pedal. The universal principle for releasing the handbrake is to press the button to unlock and then reset it, requiring more force than one might expect. When teaching my daughter to drive, I noticed that women often struggle to press it down, only to realize later it was due to incorrect posture. The proper technique is to lean slightly to the left and use elbow strength to push down. For cars with auto-hold function, extra attention is needed—deeply press the brake at red lights to activate the hold, then press the accelerator to go when the light turns green. However, for prolonged parking, the manual handbrake must still be engaged. I once experienced the handbrake not being fully released in an underground garage on a steep slope, causing the car to roll.