What are the effects of driving with the handbrake engaged?
2 Answers
Driving with the handbrake engaged can lead to accelerated wear of the brake discs, hardening of the brake pads due to overheating, and elongation of the handbrake cable. This results in reduced braking performance, and the burnt smell you might notice comes from this. In severe cases, smoke may even appear from the rear of the car. If you drive with the handbrake engaged for an extended period, it can cause the brake caliper to seize, brake fluid leakage, and excessively high brake fluid temperature, leading to a complete loss of braking function. The handbrake, professionally known as the auxiliary brake, operates differently from the main braking system. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. Driving with the handbrake engaged causes more significant damage to the braking components the faster the vehicle travels.
Having driven for over a decade, I know full well that driving with the handbrake engaged is no trivial matter. It wears down the brake pads and discs, causing them to heat up from friction, which leads to decreased performance and increased fuel consumption. Playing this game long-term could render the entire rear-wheel braking system useless, with repairs costing thousands. I've even seen someone forget to release the handbrake and drive a stretch, with the car squealing and smoking before heading straight to the repair shop. Worse yet, it affects braking distance, especially during emergency stops, making loss of control more likely and posing significant risks. Every time before driving, I make it a habit to check the dashboard warning lights to ensure everything is normal. When parking, always do so on level ground—don't cut corners to your own detriment.
