What are the impacts of driving a distance without releasing the handbrake?
2 Answers
Driving without releasing the handbrake can cause significant wear to the brake pads and wheel hubs. If the handbrake is pulled too tightly, you may even smell a burning odor, and the high temperatures can lead to brake failure. Short distances driven won't cause much damage, but driving long distances can result in the destruction and scrapping of the handbrake-affected wheel's brake discs and pads. Below are some braking techniques: 1. Emergency braking: Some vehicles are not equipped with ABS, so it's not advisable to apply full braking force at once. Instead, brake in two separate steps to prevent wheel lock-up, which could cause skidding and loss of steering control. 2. Braking in rainy conditions: When driving on wet roads, avoid slamming the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel sharply. After exiting a waterlogged area, it's best to gently apply the brakes twice, using inertia and friction to expel water from the brake discs, preventing brake failure during sudden stops.
Once I forgot to release the handbrake and drove for several kilometers. When I got out of the car, I noticed the rear part was extremely hot, almost burning to the touch. At the repair shop, the mechanic told me the handbrake pads were severely worn, and the brake discs had overheated and warped. The repair cost me over a thousand yuan. Driving with the handbrake engaged creates excessive resistance, not only increasing fuel consumption but also causing tire wear. Occasionally doing this for short distances might not be a big deal, but prolonged use can accelerate brake system aging and even damage the drive shaft. Since then, I've made it a habit to double-check if the handbrake is fully released before driving. The lesson is that small mistakes can turn into big problems, leading to unnecessary maintenance costs.
