What to Do If You Drive Without Releasing the Handbrake?

[OAdrian]

As a novice driver, driving with the handbrake on is not uncommon. Once you realize you've forgotten to release the handbrake while driving, it can be quite frightening. However, there's no need to panic—just remember to release the handbrake before starting the car in the future. Here are some suggestions: Don't stress over it: This situation is quite normal, especially among beginner drivers. After successfully starting the car, you'll notice significantly increased resistance and a slight vibration in the vehicle. Simply check the handbrake to resolve the issue. Follow the correct sequence when starting the car: Starting sequence: Shift to neutral, press the clutch, start the engine, release the handbrake, lift the clutch, gently apply throttle, and smoothly start the car. If this happens multiple times, try to memorize the steps. Short-distance driving with the handbrake on has minimal impact: Driving a few kilometers with the handbrake engaged is not a problem, especially since novice drivers tend to drive at lower speeds. However, if you're driving long distances, the vehicle might start smoking. In such cases, promptly cool down the brake pads to reduce wear and tear. Additionally, schedule a vehicle inspection as soon as possible and replace the brake pads if necessary.

[MaggieMarie]

It's quite common to drive with the handbrake not fully released, especially for new drivers. Last time when I was in a hurry to drop off my kids at school, I made this exact mistake. After driving about 200 meters, I smelled something like burning rubber. The red exclamation mark light on the dashboard was glaringly bright, so I immediately pulled over. Later I learned that driving like this keeps the rear brake pads constantly grinding, causing temperatures to soar which can wear down the brake pads or even damage the brake discs. Over time, this significantly reduces braking performance. Even worse, overheated brakes may fail completely, which could be deadly especially when driving on mountain roads. So if you notice this situation, never push through - immediately slow down, pull over, turn off the engine, and let the braking system cool for at least half an hour before checking for damage. Now I've developed the habit of checking the dashboard before starting - that warning light never lies about whether the handbrake is engaged.

[DeGraham]

Once on a road trip, I almost got into trouble because of this. Right after starting the car, it felt like someone was pulling from behind. The engine struggled to move even with deep throttle presses, and fuel consumption skyrocketed. After driving a few hundred meters, something felt off, so I pulled over—sure enough, the handbrake was still engaged by two clicks. Driving in this state is like running a marathon with the brakes on. Besides severe wear on the braking system, the driveshaft and tires also endure abnormal stress, and the rear wheel hubs became hot to the touch. Short distances might be fine, but driving continuously for several kilometers is risky. Later, a mechanic taught me a trick: if the car feels unusually sluggish when starting, with high RPM but slow acceleration, check the handbrake immediately. To avoid this, you can place your handbag on the back seat before exiting the car—when you grab it later, you’ll naturally notice the handbrake position.

[PeterMarie]

My old car suffered the same fate last year. A friend borrowed it and didn't stop until the wheel hubs were smoking. Upon disassembly, we found the brake pads worn down to bare metal. Actually, driving with the handbrake engaged is most damaging to the brake calipers, as overheated hydraulic fluid can cause seal aging and oil leaks. If you smell burning or see blue smoke, stop immediately but don't turn off the engine! Shift to neutral to let the brake system ventilate and cool down, and only check the brake pad thickness when the wheel hubs are cool enough to touch. During normal driving, you can observe the dashboard at red lights - if the exclamation mark light with brackets (located between the handbrake light and battery light) illuminates, it's time for an inspection. Develop the habit of releasing the handbrake when starting, don't wait for the system warning to pay attention.