What does foot brake mean?
2 Answers
Foot brake refers to the parking foot brake, a type of parking brake that is operated by the foot. It is commonly found in automatic transmission vehicles. The parking brake type refers to the method of operating the parking brake. Currently, the operation methods of parking brakes in passenger cars can be divided into three types: handbrake, foot brake, and electronic parking brake. The structure of the foot brake is basically the same as that of a conventional mechanical handbrake, using steel wire cables. The only difference is that the control terminal is changed from a handbrake lever to a foot brake pedal, usually located on the left foot side. Generally, foot brakes are mostly used in mid-to-high-end models, mainly in medium-sized cars and above, and are commonly found in Japanese and Korean brands, predominantly in automatic transmission vehicles. Currently, there are very few Chinese brand models equipped with foot brakes. The foot brake is more convenient. The actual locking force of a conventional handbrake is generally around 200N, which is equivalent to lifting a 20-kilogram object. For many people, this is not a small weight, and often the parking braking force is insufficient due to too little effort, leading to vehicle rollaway. In contrast, the foot brake relies entirely on the left foot for control, and a light step can easily exceed 200N. Therefore, the foot brake is more reliable and safer than the handbrake.
I've been driving for years, and the foot brake is that device you step on with your foot when parking, designed to prevent the vehicle from accidentally rolling on slopes or flat ground. It's not the regular brake pedal used while driving, but rather operated after the car is stationary, similar to the handbrake but more convenient, especially in automatic transmission models—step once to lock the wheels and step again to release before driving. I remember when I first bought my car, the foot brake wasn't firmly engaged, and the car almost rolled back into a flower bed behind me. Since then, I always double-check. Regular maintenance is also crucial. If the foot brake feels heavy or sticks, it might indicate worn cables needing replacement to avoid safety hazards. Some newer models have upgraded to electronic foot brakes, offering smarter one-touch operation, but the principle remains anti-roll locking. In short, developing good habits can save a lot of hassle.
