Handbrake in Cars: A Complete Guide on How to Use It

Posted on: Apr 1, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Handbrake in Cars: A Complete Guide on How to Use It

Whether manual or automatic, every car needs the handbrake to operate safely and effectively. Today's high-end vehicles present automatic handbrakes that activate whenever you stop the car and disengage. The handbrake in cars is as important as a house's solid foundation. You give your car additional stability whenever you use the emergency brakes any time you park. And, if your car gets hit while parked, the emergency brake reduces the chances of the vehicle rolling. Thus, hand brakes are necessary to keep your car safe and in good working condition.

What is a Car Handbrake?

A car hand brake is a stick-like brake with a head-on button. They are brake types that drivers operate using their hands and via the lever found between the two front seats. Besides, some cars have handbrakes between the driver's seat and the car door.

A driver uses the brake to stop the vehicle in case of an emergency. You can do this simply by pressing the head button, then pulling the stick upwards and releasing the button to turn on the handbrake.

The car hand brakes are also known as parking brakes since they act to stop vehicles from rolling when parked. Other names that refer to the same include emergency brakes or e-brakes.

For vehicles that contain automatic handbrakes, the brake automatically engages when you stop the car. It then disengages when you step on the throttle pedal.

How Does a Car Handbrake Work?

How the handbrake in cars work varies based on factors like;

• The model of the car

• Age

• Transmission of the car

• Whether the handbrake is manual or electronic.

In summary, the car handbrake mechanism works in the following way:

• First, you start by pulling the handbrake lever to engage the rear brakes. Doing this helps safeguard the parked vehicle from rolling forward or backward. Usually, there's a metallic cable that attaches the lever to the rear brakes.

• Once you pull the emergency brake lever, the cable presses down the brake pads onto the discs or drum, activating the rear brakes.

• In most cars, there's a link between the hand brake and the mechanical levers. For the disc brake, the calliper piston co-joins the existing lever. When you pull the brake, the corkscrew forces against the piston.

• Besides, some cars have separate discs plus brake pads on the rear axle for the handbrake.

• The brake sign indicating a cluster shows successful handbrake activation. Here, you can now release the lever.

• At this point, do not pull the brake unnecessarily. Doing this can damage the cables.

Note: Modern automated cars present electronic handbrakes that work on the same concept. Pressing or pulling the hand brake button engages the electric vehicles, which pushes the pads onto the discs.

What Are the Different Types of Car Handbrakes?

The three main types of car hand brakes that help in safe driving include:

1. Pedal (Pull) Handle Brake

With this type, you can turn on the handbrake in some vehicles by pressing a third pedal. You can press this pedalrepetitively to engage and disengage the handbrake.

Some cars also have handles that act as parking brakes and which you can pull to activate the brakes. By simply pushing the handle, you turn off the handbrake system.

2. Stick (Centre) Lever Brakes

The stick lever brake is the most common type of car handbrake. Its name originates from the brake's placement. Usually, the lever is found between the driver's and co-driver's seat. This type of handbrake is easy to use since it requires less arm strength to lift the lever.

3. Electric Handbrake

An electric handbrake is the most advanced form of emergency brake. Being electronically manipulated, you only push a central console or dashboard button to engage or disengage the brakes.

What Are the Features and Functions of Car Handbrakes?

The car handbrake features are:

• The rear wheels prevent the car from rolling backward towards gravity when your vehicle is either in motion or at rest. The feature is crucial, especially when a car moves against gravity on an inclined surface when driving uphill.

• Metallic cables- connect the intermediate lever and the rear brakes. Thus, when pulling the handbrake, the cable presses the brake pads down on the drums to activate the rear brakes.

The functions of a car hand brake include:

• Allows the driver for an emergency stop

• As the last option, when the standard brakes fail, you can use the handbrake to make an emergency brake.

• When trying a hill start or making sharp turns, the handbrake helps lower the risk of your car rolling down. This is if the primary brake can't hold it.

• Helpful for short and sudden breaks, like when idling on the road for 5 seconds or more in a traffic jam

• Safe parking

Note: Youmust always stay cautious when applying car emergency brakes; they tend to stop the rear wheels from running. As such, any sudden hand brake application might spin the car.

How to Use Car Handbrakes?

Let’s check how to apply car handbrakes in different situations.

When Parking:

• Stop your car completely

• Apply the brake pedals, and then shift the gear lever to the 'parking' position

• Press the button on the lever's head and pull it up until it tightens, and then release both the button and the lever

• Confirm the handbrake's application by checking the parking brake lights on your car's dashboard

• Free the brake pedal

Once Ready to Drive:

• Employ the brakes

• Put the gear selection lever on 'drive mode.'

• Pull the parking brake lever slightly, then press the button on the lever's head.

• Press the lever fully, and then release the button.

• Confirm the release of the handbrake by checking the dashboard to see if the parking brake light disappeared.

• Release the brake and employ the accelerator to start moving.

Note: To activate an electronic parking brake, push or pull the button. Similarly, depress the button to release it.

Safety Measures to Follow While Using Car Handbrakes

Keep in mind the following safety measures when using a car handbrake.

• Apply the brakeonly during an emergency: Frequent use of the brake can wear the cables out. As a result, you may not be able to apply them whenever you park your vehicle.

• Do not raise the lever without pressing the button: Doing this can wear out the teeth over time, decreasing the hand brakes' functioning.

• Do not stop your car suddenly: Car hand brake causes your vehicle to come to a gradual stop, unlike foot brakes. As the hand brake operates on the rear wheels, you can go up a steep slope with engaged brakes. This helps prevent your car from rolling downhill.

• Ensure you disengage the hand brake before driving: Driving often with an engaged handbrake can damage the engine performance. However, in specific situations, like taking sharp corners or going uphill, you can drive with the parking brakes engaged for your safety.

• Park your car in warm areas during winter: Applying the brakes during winter can be challenging. It's due to freezing brake cables. As a result, your vehicle may slow down, and you can't fully engage these brakes in an emergency. If that happens, there are chances it may lead to an accident. Always consider having comprehensive insurance so that you can quickly claim insurance if any unfortunate event affects your insured vehicle.

Note: You can warm up your car before releasing the parking brakes.

Conclusion

A car's handbrake is crucial in stopping your vehicle in case of emergencies. It also helps to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. Every car owner must take good care of the brakes. Ensure they work appropriately because driving with faulty emergency brakes can cause fatal accidents. It’s essential that you continually renew your car insurance, which helps offer financial protection in case any unfortunate incident occurs. You can make the renewal online. Remember that the IDV in car insurance is only valid under the comprehensive plan.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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