Should the handbrake be released or pulled up?
3 Answers
Whether the handbrake should be released or pulled up depends on different situations: the handbrake needs to be released when starting the car and pulled up when parking. The function of the handbrake: it is used for braking when parking on flat ground or slopes to prevent the vehicle from sliding automatically when unattended, avoiding traffic accidents. The official name of the handbrake is the parking brake, which mainly controls the rear wheels. Its principle is based on the lever principle, using a steel cable to activate the rear wheel braking device, causing the locking tooth and gear to automatically engage. The dangers of driving without releasing the handbrake are: 1. The brake pump cannot provide sufficient braking force, causing the engine to stall; 2. Accelerated wear of the brake disc and hardening of the brake pads due to friction heat; 3. The handbrake cable may stretch; 4. It may lead to brake caliper oil leakage and brake failure.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the key to handbrake operation boils down to eight words: pull up when parking, release before driving. Always pull the handbrake firmly when parking, especially on slopes, to prevent the car from rolling away. Forgetting to engage it can lead to minor scrapes from rolling or even serious accidents. I've seen many novice drivers park on hills without using the handbrake, resulting in their cars sliding right into the middle of the road. Before driving, make sure to fully release the handbrake until the dashboard warning light goes off. Driving with the handbrake on not only skyrockets fuel consumption but also overheats the brake pads, causing them to smoke. Just last time, a friend of mine drove three kilometers before noticing a burning smell and realizing the handbrake was still engaged, which had warped the entire brake disc. One final tip: for long-term parking, it's safest to firmly engage the handbrake and then shift into P mode for double security.
As a driving instructor who has trained hundreds of students, I find handbrake issues to be the most common. Simply put: you must pull it up after parking and release it before moving. Beginners often forget these operations, so I recommend memorizing this rhyme: 'Park and click-pull (the handbrake makes a clicking sound when pulled), start and press-flat (press the button to flatten the handbrake lever).' Not pulling the handbrake tight is especially dangerous on slopes. Once, a student was practicing hill starts on a slope, didn't pull the handbrake enough, and the car rolled back half a meter, scaring me into quickly hitting the auxiliary brake. Be extra careful with manual transmissions – if waiting at a red light for more than 30 seconds, it's advisable to engage the handbrake to protect the gearbox. Also, many cars now have electronic handbrakes; just press the P button to automatically lock when parking, and a light press on the accelerator will release it when starting, which is indeed much more convenient.
