What damage does pulling the handbrake in D gear cause to the car?

2 Answers
OGiselle
07/24/25 6:17am
Short-term braking has no impact, but prolonged use can cause damage to the car. Here are the relevant details: 1. Reasons for damage: Using the handbrake in D gear can cause the friction plates on the engine side to continuously rotate at idle speed. At this time, keeping the brake pedal pressed forces the friction plates to remain engaged, leading to overheating and potentially causing transmission overheating or damage. If the red light wait time is short, you can shift to D gear and press the foot brake, but after 15 seconds, you should shift to neutral and then press the foot brake. 2. Short-term braking: Temporary parking does not cause harm, similar to stopping by pressing the brake pedal. However, it's important to note that the engine should remain idling. Avoid frequently pressing the accelerator pedal while the handbrake is engaged or the foot brake is pressed, as this can cause the automatic transmission's pump wheel to operate at high speeds and damage the torque converter.
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DelaneyLynn
08/11/25 2:04am
I've figured this out quite a bit - pulling the handbrake in D gear is really harsh on the car. First, the direct consequences: the handbrake system gets overloaded since it has to resist the engine's driving force, causing brake pads and discs to wear out rapidly. In severe cases, it may lead to thermal deformation or even cracking. Then there's the transmission - with the car in D gear, the drivetrain is still engaged. Forcibly applying the handbrake makes the gears bear counterforces, which over time can damage internal components like output shafts or clutches. This is no minor issue. I've encountered fellow drivers who made this mistake, resulting in overheated brake fluid smoking or even causing short-circuit incidents. Long-term, this habit doubles maintenance costs due to frequent brake part replacements and may trigger false safety system alerts. Remember, always shift to P gear before applying the handbrake when parking - it's worry-free and extends your car's lifespan.
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