What is the Difference Between a Parking Brake and an Engine Brake?
2 Answers
Here is a related introduction to the differences between a parking brake and an engine brake: 1. Different in nature: Engine braking involves lifting the accelerator pedal without depressing the clutch, utilizing the compression resistance, internal friction, and intake/exhaust resistance generated by the engine's compression stroke to create a braking effect on the drive wheels. The parking brake is commonly referred to as the handbrake. 2. Different characteristics: Engine braking is essentially coasting in gear without applying throttle, where the engine provides no traction to the vehicle. The parking brake exerts much less force compared to the service brake, merely preventing the vehicle from rolling on slopes. 3. Different principles: Traditional handbrakes require the driver to manually release the brake or skillfully coordinate the throttle and clutch for a smooth start on an incline. Engine braking, due to the presence of the transmission, varies with different gear ratios—higher gears have smaller gear ratios.
When I was learning to drive, I always got confused about the difference between the parking brake and the engine brake. The parking brake is what we commonly call the handbrake. After parking, you pull it to lock the wheels and prevent the car from rolling, which is most useful on slopes. The engine brake, on the other hand, is when you release the accelerator or downshift while driving, causing the engine to slow down like pulling back, helping to stabilize the speed. For example, using it downhill means less braking, which is safer. I remember the first time I drove on a mountain road, I didn’t use the handbrake properly and almost rolled into a ditch. Later, I learned that engine braking helps protect the brake pads from excessive wear. Now I’ve developed a habit: always pull the handbrake when parking and rely more on engine braking to slow down. This saves money, reduces hassle, and extends the car’s lifespan. Everyone needs more practice to master these techniques.
