Is the handbrake of a small car for the front or rear brakes?
3 Answers
The handbrake of a small car is for the rear brakes. Here are the details: 1. Introduction: The professional term for the handbrake is auxiliary brake. Unlike the main braking system, it uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. In conventional four-wheel household cars, the foot brake acts on all four wheels. If the foot brake only brakes the front wheels, it may cause the vehicle to lose directional control, making it impossible to maintain the vehicle's direction during braking. If only the rear wheels are braked, it may cause the rear wheels to lose traction, potentially leading to phenomena like fishtailing or skidding. 2. Mechanical handbrake: Most are controlled by cables, and since the front wheels are responsible for steering, placing the cables on the front wheels is inconvenient. When starting on a slope, most of the vehicle's weight is on the rear wheels, so braking the rear wheels is more effective. However, not all vehicles brake the rear wheels. For example, in engineering forklifts, since the rear wheels are responsible for steering, the handbrake is installed on the front wheels.
As a driver with over twenty years of experience, I've noticed this issue often troubles novice drivers. Nowadays, the handbrake in most small cars is primarily for the rear brakes, especially in common household vehicles. When you pull the lever or press the pedal, it locks the rear wheels via a cable or hydraulic system. This design offers several advantages: firstly, it prevents overloading the front braking system, and secondly, it ensures stability when parked, particularly on slopes to prevent rolling. However, some high-end cars now use electronic parking brakes, which don't differentiate between front and rear—pressing the button engages the entire vehicle's braking system. I recommend always pulling the handbrake firmly when parking, especially for automatic transmission cars in 'P' mode, to avoid potential transmission damage. Additionally, be aware that handbrake cables can loosen over time, so remember to have them adjusted regularly at a repair shop to maintain proper braking force.
I usually enjoy studying car structures, and the handbrake issue is actually quite interesting. Currently, 90% of gasoline-powered cars on the market use rear-wheel parking brakes because the traditional mechanical structure is simple and reliable, and the braking force on the rear wheels is easier to control. Think about it—the front wheels handle steering, and if they were constantly locked by the handbrake, the steering system would be under too much stress. However, some special models are exceptions, like supercars or pure electric vehicles, which may use electronic parking systems to brake both front and rear wheels simultaneously. I’ve also seen vintage cars with column shift designs where the handbrake is on the front axle. In daily use, remember to release the handbrake when starting a cold car. If it’s frozen in winter, don’t force it—gently pressing the accelerator can thaw it. It’s recommended to check the brake pad thickness every 50,000 kilometers, especially for vehicles frequently parked on slopes.
