Is the handbrake of a front-wheel drive car on the front or rear wheels?
2 Answers
The handbrake of a front-wheel drive car is on the rear wheels, and its main function is to control the rear wheels of the vehicle. Precautions for using the handbrake are: 1. Pull and release gently, and do not pull more than a 45-degree angle when parking on a flat road; 2. When the handle is pulled to more than half of the angle to stabilize the vehicle position, pay attention not to damage the spring inside the handbrake; 3. When pulling the handbrake on a slope, the vehicle may still move slightly after pulling it; 4. When parking on a steep slope, the vehicle may slide slightly after shifting to neutral and pulling the handbrake before coming to a complete stop; 5. Do not use the handbrake to slow down while driving, use the foot brake pedal instead; 6. Do not pull the handbrake to a high gear.
I've always been quite interested in car mechanical structures and enjoy tinkering with my car in my spare time. The handbrake system of front-wheel-drive cars is actually installed on the rear wheels, which has nothing to do with the drive method. This design is quite clever because the rear wheels are responsible for stabilizing the car body, and locking them when parking makes it less likely for the car to roll downhill. I once drove an old Corolla up a steep slope and specifically tried using only the handbrake without shifting into gear, and the car stopped steadily. However, it's important to note that the handbrake cable can become loose over time, especially in cars that are seven or eight years old—pulling it all the way might still allow the car to roll a few centimeters. I recommend having the tension adjusted by a repair shop every 20,000 kilometers, while also checking the thickness of the brake pads. When parking on a slope, it's best to also shift into gear as a double safety measure—after all, safety is no small matter.
