What to Do When the Car Still Rolls After Applying the Handbrake?

[Martha]

The reason why the car still rolls after applying the handbrake may be due to slack in the handbrake. You can try tightening the handbrake cable. If it's a manual transmission, you can press the clutch with your left foot, press the brake with your right foot, engage any forward gear, apply the handbrake, and then turn off the engine to use the traction of the gear to prevent rolling. If it's an automatic transmission, press the brake, shift to P (Park), apply the handbrake, and then turn off the engine to utilize the locking mechanism of the automatic transmission's P gear to prevent further rolling. If you notice that the handbrake's braking efficiency or sensitivity is poor, you can adjust the handbrake's operating copper cable. At the connection point between the handbrake lever's base and the copper cable, there is an adjustable compensation mechanism. Loosen the locking nut with a wrench to stretch the length of the brake copper cable. However, some cars have the adjustment mechanism located underneath the vehicle. If adjustment is inconvenient, it should be handled by professional maintenance personnel.

[LeElliott]

If the car rolls even with the handbrake engaged, I take immediate action to ensure safety. First, I move the car to a level surface; if that's not possible, I use wheel chocks or stones to block the wheels. Then, I check if the handbrake is fully engaged—sometimes the cable is loose and requires multiple attempts to tighten. If this doesn’t help, I consider issues like worn brake pads or an aged handbrake cable. I once fixed it by adjusting the cable myself. Don’t ignore this problem, as frequent occurrences can accelerate component wear and affect the entire braking system. Finally, I recommend visiting a professional repair shop for a thorough inspection and adjustment of the system—safety comes first. During regular maintenance, I always remind myself to test the handbrake’s tension to avoid future trouble.

[SanCassidy]

There are various reasons why a car might roll even with the handbrake engaged. I analyze that it could be due to aging and slackening of the cable, resulting in insufficient tension; severe wear of the brake pads, causing inadequate friction; internal mechanism jamming in the handbrake lever; or parking on a slope too steep where gravity overcomes friction. I pay extra attention when parking on steep slopes and sometimes use the gear as an additional measure to prevent rolling. Poor system design, such as lack of regular lubrication of the cable, can also lead to issues. If any abnormality is detected, it's best not to wait and to promptly have a mechanic adjust or replace the parts. I've encountered this issue a few times, and timely intervention prevented recurrence. Long-term neglect could lead to more significant failures, increasing repair costs.

[McViolet]

If the car starts rolling, I'll first turn on the hazard lights to warn others, quickly stop the car, and try pulling the handbrake again. If that doesn't work, I'll use wheel chocks to secure the wheels. Safety is the top priority—no risky driving. Head to a repair shop for a comprehensive check of the braking system; the brake cable or pads might need replacement. Simple maintenance can prevent this.