What should I do if I drove a distance without fully releasing the handbrake?
4 Answers
This can significantly impact the handbrake, causing it to become increasingly loose. For vehicles with alarm systems, it's better as there will be a handbrake warning light to indicate that the handbrake needs to be tightened. When driving, make sure to fully release the handbrake all the way down.
I did this last time – drove over a kilometer before noticing the handbrake light was still on, and my heart was pounding. I quickly pulled over and let the car rest for half an hour. The brake discs were so hot you could fry an egg on them. Later, at the repair shop, the mechanic told me the brake pads had worn down quite a bit, but luckily the brake discs hadn’t warped from the heat. He showed me the wear marks and reminded me to always check the dashboard for warning lights before driving off. This lesson taught me to develop a habit of triple-checking before starting: handbrake, seatbelt, and rearview mirror. Cars are like people – if you keep running them with issues, bigger problems will arise. Now, even the slightest smell of burning makes me nervous.
Don't panic when this happens, but act immediately. Find a safe place to park and rest for 20 minutes to let the brake system cool down naturally. Never rush to pour cold water for cooling, as thermal expansion and contraction can warp the brake discs. Afterwards, focus on checking if the rear wheel temperature is abnormal—if the wheel hub still feels hot to the touch, don't drive further. Remember to have the mechanic check the brake pad thickness and caliper retraction during your next maintenance, and inspect the tires carefully. Driving with the handbrake engaged can easily cause uneven wear on one side of the tires. My neighbor once drove on the highway without fully releasing the handbrake and ended up replacing the entire set of brake discs and pads, costing over two thousand yuan extra.
This primarily damages the braking system. Driving with the handbrake on is equivalent to continuous friction between the brake pads and rotors, which at best accelerates wear and at worst burns out the wheel cylinder seals. Once, I made this mistake while rushing for a delivery, and the rear wheels ended up emitting blue smoke. It's advisable to immediately check these areas: whether the brake pedal travel has increased, if the vehicle pulls to one side, and if there's abnormal heat from the rear wheels. During routine maintenance, use your fingernail to check the edge of the brake pads; if the remaining thickness is less than 3mm, they must be replaced. Modified cars require extra attention, as larger rims can more easily lead to poor brake ventilation and overheating.
