Should the Clutch Be Depressed When Pulling the Handbrake?
4 Answers
When pulling the handbrake, there is no need to depress the clutch. The function of the handbrake is to park the vehicle and provide secondary braking to prevent the car from rolling when parked. The handbrake is used when the car is in neutral or the engine is turned off, and depressing the clutch is not required during its operation. The handbrake is a specialized auxiliary brake in a car, and its working principle differs from that of the main brake. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force. Prolonged use of the handbrake can cause the steel cable to undergo plastic deformation, which is irreversible. During regular parking, if you forget to engage the handbrake and the car starts to roll, you should immediately step on the main brake to prevent any potential hazards.
We veteran drivers all know that pulling the handbrake doesn't require stepping on the clutch at all. When waiting at red lights, just pull the handbrake, shift to neutral, and release the clutch - keeping the clutch depressed is just tiring. Those who say you should press the clutch before pulling the handbrake are probably just being dogmatic. The transmission's neutral state has nothing to do with the clutch - the handbrake works the same whether you press it or not. I've been driving trucks for twenty years, and I always use just the handbrake for hill starts on provincial roads. However, for prolonged parking on slopes, besides the handbrake, it's safer to leave it in first gear. New drivers shouldn't stress too much - just keep your daily operations relaxed.
As an auto mechanic, I recommend pressing the clutch, shifting to neutral, and then engaging the handbrake when parking a manual transmission vehicle. Although the handbrake and clutch are not directly connected in theory, developing this habit can minimize operational errors. For long-term parking, always remember to press the clutch to prevent prolonged pressure damage to the clutch release bearing. Especially when parking on slopes, careless drivers often forget to shift back to neutral, causing the engine to stall upon startup and damaging the vehicle. I've disassembled too many worn-out release bearings caused by poor operating habits. Remember the three steps: press the clutch - shift to neutral - engage the handbrake, and you'll significantly extend the lifespan of mechanical components.
Driving instructors teach the standard procedure of pressing the clutch before pulling the handbrake mainly to standardize the teaching process. In actual driving, I've found it completely unnecessary. Think about it: the handbrake is a purely mechanical device controlling the rear wheels, while the clutch manages the engine's power transmission. In neutral gear, these two systems are entirely independent. However, during the driving test, students should still follow the required steps to avoid point deductions. Once you get your license, drive in whatever way feels natural—just don't let the car roll on steep slopes. The key is to check the handbrake indicator on the dashboard to ensure it's fully engaged.
