Will driving with the handbrake on for a while cause damage?

[RemingtonMarie]

Driving with the handbrake engaged for a period can cause damage to the vehicle. 1. If the handbrake was left on for a short time or over a short distance, it generally won't cause significant damage to the car. 2. If you've driven a longer distance with the handbrake on, it's best to have the brake pads checked as soon as possible and replace them if necessary. Below are the hazards of driving with the handbrake engaged: 1. Severe brake pad wear: The most immediate effect is accelerated wear on the brake discs and hardening of the brake pads due to overheating, along with stretching of the handbrake cable. This leads to reduced braking performance, and the burnt smell sometimes noticed by drivers comes from this. In severe cases, smoke may appear from the rear of the vehicle. 2. Tire damage: Driving with the handbrake on also damages the tires. Keeping the handbrake engaged for too long can cause the rear wheels to lock up, leading to smoke from friction and potentially causing brake failure.