What to Do When the Car Still Rolls After Engaging the Handbrake?
3 Answers
Solutions for when the car still rolls after engaging the handbrake: Tighten the handbrake cable. For manual transmission vehicles, you can press the clutch with your left foot, press the brake with your right foot, engage any forward gear, pull the handbrake, and then turn off the engine, using the gear's traction to prevent rolling. For automatic transmission vehicles, press the brake, shift to P (Park), engage the handbrake, and turn off the engine, utilizing the automatic transmission's P gear lock to prevent further rolling. More details are as follows: 1. If the handbrake suddenly fails or doesn't hold during normal use, it can be very dangerous, especially on steep slopes where sudden failure poses a greater risk. 2. Automatic transmission models are easier to operate; when in a forward gear, pressing the brake prevents rolling, and releasing the brake while quickly applying the throttle ensures the power is sufficient to move the vehicle forward.
I've driven quite a few cars and encountered the issue of the car rolling even with the handbrake engaged several times. This usually happens because the handbrake cable is loose or the brake pads are severely worn. If you're parked on a slope, the car rolling can easily lead to an accident, so you need to stabilize the car immediately: shift into drive or reverse to block the wheels, or find a large rock to wedge under the rear wheels as an emergency measure. Then quickly drive to a professional repair shop for inspection—it might be that the handbrake mechanism needs adjustment or parts replacement. Don't slack off during regular maintenance; ask the mechanic to test the handbrake tension more often, especially after driving for two or three years when parts are prone to aging. Safe driving is not something to be careless about. If you notice anything unusual, don't delay—better to avoid accidents on the road.
Using the parking brake but the car still rolls is extremely dangerous, especially on slopes where it could slide and cause a collision. I always emphasize safety first. In such situations, immediately shift the gear to P (Park) or reverse to stabilize the car, or press the foot brake firmly to stop it completely. Temporarily use a toolbox or rocks to block the wheels for additional stability and prevent further movement. Afterwards, it's essential to visit a repair shop for a thorough inspection of the braking system, as it's likely that the parking brake lever or spring is damaged and needs repair. It's advisable to place a small obstacle in front of the wheels when parking on steep slopes and to test the parking brake's tension monthly to ensure it's functioning properly. Don't wait until an accident happens to regret not taking these precautions.
