Should the Handbrake Be Engaged for Long-Term Parking?
3 Answers
Engaging the handbrake is necessary for long-term parking. Additional relevant information is as follows: 1. The handbrake is designed for parking purposes; only by firmly engaging the handbrake can the vehicle be prevented from moving due to external forces. For instance, if the parking area has a slope, failing to engage the handbrake may cause the vehicle to roll due to inertia. Even when parked on level ground, it is advisable to firmly engage the handbrake. 2. It is important to note that applying 100% force to a non-electronic handbrake for extended periods can shorten the lifespan of the handbrake cable. This is because the cable remains under tension when the handbrake is engaged, which over time can lead to irreversible plastic deformation of the cable, increasing its load and eventually causing it to loosen.
Absolutely need to engage the handbrake! I've driven my own car for over a decade and learned this the hard way. For quick stops like grocery shopping by the roadside, you might skip it, but never leave it unengaged for over half an hour. The handbrake works by using steel cables to lock the rear wheels. Keeping it tensioned might slightly stretch the cables over time, but that's nothing compared to the risk of rolling. I've seen too many cases of worn-out latches - all caused by parking without the handbrake, forcing mechanical parts to absorb the impact. Especially on slopes, not using the handbrake puts the entire vehicle's weight on the transmission's P-gear pawl, and those metallic clunking sounds will break your heart. If you're really concerned about handbrake stress, on level ground you can shift to P first, then gently pull the handbrake up two clicks - no need to engage it fully. But never get lazy. Last year in our neighborhood, a car rolled downhill and hit a tree simply because the owner couldn't be bothered with the handbrake.
As someone who frequently travels for business, I'm in the habit of pulling the handbrake with a click as soon as I park. I remember one time in a shopping mall parking lot, I saw the car next to me suddenly roll forward half a meter, which scared me so much I quickly moved away. Actually, the principle of the handbrake is quite simple—it makes the brake pads grip the brake disc. Keeping it tightly engaged for long periods might stretch the steel cable a bit, but modern cars come with self-adjusting mechanisms. There's one detail people often overlook: electronic handbrakes are actually better suited for long-term parking. Just press a button and it automatically locks, unlike mechanical handbrakes that require a strong pull. I've seen many friends who only put the car in P without engaging the handbrake on flat ground, and when they got rear-ended, the transmission gears were completely ruined.
