What is the difference between the handbrake and footbrake?
2 Answers
Below is a detailed introduction to the differences and functions of the handbrake and footbrake: 1. Different principles: The footbrake works by stepping on the pedal to create high-pressure hydraulic oil in the master brake cylinder, which then pushes the hydraulic pressure to the brake slave cylinder, controlling the braking gas in the brake airbag to determine whether to drive the brake linkage, causing the brake caliper and brake disc to rub and stop the wheel from turning. The handbrake is purely mechanical, using a steel wire cable to directly control the rear wheels to stop. When used, it can immediately lock the rear wheels. 2. Functional differences: The handbrake is called the parking brake, while the footbrake is called the service brake. As the names suggest, the footbrake is used to slow down or stop the vehicle while driving, whereas the handbrake ensures that the vehicle does not roll away after it has stopped.
The handbrake and footbrake serve completely different purposes in a car, and I always pay attention to these details when driving. The footbrake is the pedal under your foot, used every time you need to slow down or stop by pressing it to reduce wheel rotation and bring the car to a halt. It's especially important to gently press it to control speed during traffic jams. The handbrake, on the other hand, is the lever or button next to the gear shift, mainly used after parking to prevent the car from rolling. I've seen people forget to engage the handbrake on a slope, causing the car to roll—extremely dangerous. In daily use, remember to release the handbrake before starting and minimize footbrake usage while driving to save fuel. The key difference is that the footbrake offers flexible, on-demand stopping, while the handbrake locks the rear wheels for prolonged parking. I recommend beginners develop the habit of always using the handbrake when parked to prevent accidents. I've even tried using the handbrake to slow down gradually when the footbrake failed, but this is not something to experiment with casually—a crucial reminder.