What is the function of the button on the handbrake?
4 Answers
The handbrake, commonly known as the parking brake, is professionally referred to as an auxiliary brake. Unlike the principle of the main brake, it uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. As for the button on the handbrake, it is used to engage the handbrake, transmitting the pulling force through the steel cable to the rear brake drum or rear caliper, achieving the braking effect. More relevant information is as follows: 1. Function: The role of the handbrake is to tighten the brake shoes against the brake drum or disc after the vehicle has stopped, keeping the vehicle in a braked state to prevent dangerous movement. However, during high-speed driving, the braking force of the handbrake is minimal. If the driver pulls the handbrake while driving at high speed, it can easily cause the rear wheels to lock up, the cable to snap, and lead to vehicle skidding or even rollover. 2. Introduction: The professional term for the handbrake is auxiliary brake, which differs from the main brake in principle. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force. The handbrake is a frequently used system, and proper usage ensures smoother operation in the future, especially for widely used mechanical handbrakes. It is best to follow the correct method of use.
A few days ago, I was teaching my cousin how to drive, and we happened to talk about the handbrake button. You need to press this button when pulling up the handbrake—if you don't press it and just yank hard, it'll make a clicking sound and damage the gears. But the key point is when releasing the handbrake: first, gently lift it up a little until you feel the spring rebound, then immediately press the button all the way down. At this moment, you can silently lower the lever all the way. A special reminder for parking on slopes: always step on the foot brake before releasing the handbrake, otherwise, the car rolling away is extremely dangerous. I remember once seeing someone release the handbrake without pressing the button—the sound of metal grinding made my scalp tingle.
I've driven manual transmission cars for ten years and use the handbrake button every day. Simply put, it's a safety locking mechanism. When pulling the handbrake, you must press the button to smoothly lift the locking teeth; otherwise, the lever will get stuck. The most crucial part of releasing the handbrake: first lift the lever half a notch until you hear the 'click' unlocking sound, then press the button to lower it. A common mistake beginners make is pressing the button directly to release the handbrake without fully unlocking it, forcing it down. Over time, this can deform the internal spring plates, potentially causing the entire handbrake to seize. It's recommended to have the mechanic check the handbrake travel during each maintenance service.
The handbrake button may look simple, but it's actually super important! It's the switch that controls the internal gears. You need to press and hold the button to allow the handbrake lever to move freely, just like releasing the safety latch on the gears. It's especially crucial when parking on slopes: when pulled up, the button locks the gears to prevent slipping, and to release it, you must press the button first before pushing down. A friend's car once had an issue because the button got stuck, preventing the handbrake from fully releasing, and they only realized it when the rear wheels started smoking while driving. Remember not to pull the handbrake and step on the gas at red lights—it wastes fuel and wears out the button mechanism.
