What are the effects of driving without releasing the handbrake?
2 Answers
Driving without releasing the handbrake directly harms the vehicle by accelerating wear on the brake discs and causing the brake pads to harden due to overheating. The handbrake cable may also stretch, leading to reduced braking performance. The burnt smell sometimes noticed comes from this issue, and in severe cases, smoke may emerge from the rear of the vehicle. If you drive with the handbrake engaged for an extended period, it may result in the brake calipers seizing, brake fluid leakage, or excessively high brake fluid temperatures, ultimately causing a complete loss of braking function. The faster you drive with the handbrake on, the greater the damage to the braking components, and it can also cause some damage to the tires. The handbrake, technically known as an 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.
When I first started learning to drive, I once forgot to release the handbrake and drove quite a distance feeling the car was moving unusually slow. The most immediate harm of driving with the handbrake engaged is that the brake pads continuously rub against the brake discs, causing the temperature to rise rapidly. This accelerates wear and shortens the lifespan of the brake pads, and in severe cases, it may lead to brake system overheating and failure. After that incident, I checked and found that the brake discs were even warped from overheating. Fuel consumption also increases significantly because the engine has to overcome this extra resistance, wasting gas money for nothing. Driving like this for a long time may also damage the brake cables or electronic systems, leading to expensive repairs. Moreover, if this happens on a slope or at high speed, sudden brake failure can be extremely dangerous. Now I’ve developed the habit of confirming the handbrake is released before starting the car, and I also recommend everyone to regularly check their brake condition.