What Happens If You Suddenly Pull the Handbrake While Driving an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
Different consequences may occur depending on the vehicle speed. Below is relevant information about the handbrake: 1. Introduction to the Handbrake: The parking brake, commonly referred to as the handbrake, functions to provide resistance when parking, preventing the car from rolling. The parking brake, whether a handbrake or the parking gear in an automatic transmission, locks the drive shaft or rear wheels. The force of the parking brake is significantly weaker than that of the service brake, just enough to prevent the car from rolling on a slope. 2. Precautions for Using the Handbrake: Avoid pulling the handbrake to its highest position, as the handbrake system includes not only steel cables but also nylon ropes. If it is consistently pulled to the highest position, the nylon ropes will quickly suffer from material fatigue.
I've been driving on the road for over a decade and have personally witnessed the terrifying scene of someone accidentally pulling the handbrake while driving. It's especially frightening when an automatic transmission car suddenly has its handbrake engaged while moving. If the speed exceeds 30 or 40 km/h, the rear wheels immediately lock up. The entire car shakes violently, the rear end swings out wildly as if drifting, and the steering wheel becomes uncontrollable, potentially leading to a direct collision with guardrails or green belts. Even if you're lucky enough to avoid a crash, the damage to the car is significant—the brake discs can instantly glow red and deform, the brake pads wear down substantially, and the tires develop flat spots. I later specifically asked a repair shop, and they said the repair cost for such an incident would easily exceed a thousand yuan. I sincerely remind everyone not to fiddle with the handbrake lever while driving—safety should always come first.
