What happens if you forget to release the handbrake in a car?
2 Answers
Forgetting to release the handbrake in a car will accelerate the wear of the brake discs, and the brake pads may harden due to overheating, leading to reduced handbrake performance and elongation of the handbrake cable. Here are some precautions when using the handbrake: 1. Mechanical handbrake: For the most common mechanical handbrake, it is important not to pull it too hard every time you park, especially not to pull it to the limit. Excessive or prolonged stretching of the metal can accelerate deformation, causing the handbrake cable's braking performance to deteriorate more quickly. 2. Automatic transmission handbrake: For automatic transmission models equipped with an electronic handbrake, when parking on a slope, always engage the handbrake first to secure the car before shifting the transmission into P (Park) gear. This reduces the load on the transmission and prevents the P gear lock latch from getting stuck, which could make it difficult to unlock normally.
Forgetting to release the handbrake while driving is quite a serious issue. I remember once when I was in a hurry to leave, I forgot to release the handbrake. After driving just a kilometer or two, I felt the car was unusually heavy when starting, the throttle didn't respond much, and the engine was buzzing loudly. After stopping, I touched the rear wheel hub and it was so hot it hurt my hand. When I took it to the repair shop, they said the brake pads were burnt out and needed to be replaced, costing several hundred dollars. The mechanic said if I had driven further, the tires might have been damaged, and in extreme cases, it could even overheat and catch fire, especially on mountain roads or highways where it's easy to lose control. Since then, I've made it a habit to check the handbrake warning light on the dashboard every time I start the car. Developing this habit is absolutely necessary, as safety is the most important thing. Don't risk big trouble just to save a few seconds of checking time.
