What are the consequences of driving with the handbrake not released?
2 Answers
The consequences of driving with the handbrake not released include: 1. Accelerated wear of the brake disc; 2. Hardening of the brake pads due to overheating; 3. Lengthening of the handbrake cable leading to reduced braking performance; 4. Smoke emission from the rear of the vehicle; 5. Seizure of the brake caliper; 6. Brake fluid leakage; 7. Overheating of the brake fluid; 8. Complete loss of braking function. The handbrake is a crucial component of the vehicle's braking system, and its functions are: 1. Keeping the vehicle stationary and preventing it from rolling when parked; 2. Assisting in drifting when turning while driving; 3. Serving as an emergency brake in critical situations.
Not long ago, I witnessed a friend making this mistake firsthand. Just two kilometers after driving off, something felt wrong—stepping on the gas pedal felt like dragging a huge rock. The handbrake warning light on the dashboard was lit the whole time, but he didn’t notice. As a result, the rear brake pads were grinding fiercely against the brake discs. Upon arriving at the destination, white smoke was rising from the wheel area, and a strong burnt smell filled the air when approached. During the repair, the removed brake pads were found to be worn down by half, and the brake discs had developed blue spots from overheating. The mechanic said another half hour of driving would have required replacing the entire braking system, costing at least two to three thousand. Now, I’ve developed the habit of checking the dashboard every time I start the car. This lesson was expensive—safe driving is no joke!
