Why can't people push the button in on their handbrake when they pull it up! It's so annoying. People stopping at the traffic lights or pull up to park and 'crunch'. Don't people know you can damage the handbrake mechanism with this laziness.
I'd be interested if someone 'in the know' could explain how applying the handbrake without depressing the button damages the mechanism.
The only damage I can think of is that the ratchet would wear down faster, but to be honest I think it's bordering an urban myth that not pushing the button damages the ratchet, particularly as manufacturers actually tell you not to push the button in.
I hold the button in until the lever is near the top and let go so it clicks 2-or-3 times into place. If I don't do this quite often I let go and the lever goes 'clunk' into place where the ratchet is between two teeth.
Hmm, I always thought it was wrong not to press the button in when lifting the handbrake. In fact I recently shouted at my dad for not pushing the button when using the handbrake in my car...
Hmm, I always thought it was wrong not to press the button in when lifting the handbrake. In fact I recently shouted at my dad for not pushing the button when using the handbrake in my car...
Check your owners manual - you may owe your dad an apology
Just checked my Seat Ibiza Award manual and it does indeed just say "pull had brake up firmly". It only mentions the button when releasing it. Like others here I was always taught to push the button in when I was learning.
Just checked my Seat Ibiza Award manual and it does indeed just say "pull had brake up firmly". It only mentions the button when releasing it. Like others here I was always taught to push the button in when I was learning.
Perhaps it was correct procedure on really old cars
Check your owners manual - you may owe your dad an apology
You know as much as I'd love to apologise to my dad... I smashed the car up a couple of weeks ago and it's in the garage. If the insurers write it off I may never know!!
My new Honda Civic was recalled for a handbrake fault (sadly after it rolled down my drive and parked itself in the middle of the road).
Honda wrote to all Civic owners affected stating in great detail exactly how to put the handbrake on properly. This included in bold that you should not press the button in when putting the handbrake on, which surprised me because when I learned to drive that was what we were taught to do. I guess cars have changed since then.
My new Honda Civic was recalled for a handbrake fault (sadly after it rolled down my drive and parked itself in the middle of the road).
Honda wrote to all Civic owners affected stating in great detail exactly how to put the handbrake on properly. This included in bold that you should not press the button in when putting the handbrake on, which surprised me because when I learned to drive that was what we were taught to do. I guess cars have changed since then.
Suprisingly, no - handbrake design has been the same since the 50s. They used to wear (as all ratchets will over time), but they build the sprockets and pawls from vanadium steel these days, so they will last longer than the normal life-span of the car. Cars have always suffered from the risk of the handbrake slipping if you drop the pawl on the end of a tooth (by depressing the button when engaging).
Basically, it's design as a ratchet, so use it as a ratchet. If you hate the noise that much, do as other have said - pull it semi-tight with the button depressed, and do the last couple of clicks without. (Obviously, this has no relevance to wear and tear where it matters, but avoids the crunching sound).
Is that a Mercedes? I used to own a C class and it was a foot pedal to engange the parking break, and a pull lever to disengage it.
No - some cars thes days (mostly Renaults) have automatic hand-brakes which engage and disengage with a servo. When you are in neutral with foot off the clutch, it will engage, when in gear with some slight weight on the accelerator it will disengage.
I don't like them - it doesn't feel natural, especially if you want to ride the clutch from standstill.
which surprised me because when I learned to drive that was what we were taught to do. I guess cars have changed since then.
Well, I only learned in 2006-7, which is when the instructor got irate when I didn't press the button in, so I presume it's still how they're teaching people now.
Is that a Mercedes? I used to own a C class and it was a foot pedal to engange the parking break, and a pull lever to disengage it.
Yep...took some getting used to. On the test drive I was sat there with left hand floundering around desperately trying to find something to pull on :D
I have to say it's not mine but oh's.....but it's blocking mine in most of the time so I get used to it......then I take mine out.......and the reverse happens!
No - some cars thes days (mostly Renaults) have automatic hand-brakes which engage and disengage with a servo. When you are in neutral with foot off the clutch, it will engage, when in gear with some slight weight on the accelerator it will disengage.
I don't like them - it doesn't feel natural, especially if you want to ride the clutch from standstill.
C class Mercs (well ours) have a foot operated parking brake. Nothing to do with automatic hand-brakes, thankfully!
My new Honda Civic was recalled for a handbrake fault (sadly after it rolled down my drive and parked itself in the middle of the road).
Honda wrote to all Civic owners affected stating in great detail exactly how to put the handbrake on properly. This included in bold that you should not press the button in when putting the handbrake on, which surprised me because when I learned to drive that was what we were taught to do. I guess cars have changed since then.
Vauxhall said a similar thing when they had a handbrake problem.
My instructor said to push the button in because it will annoy the examiner on the test if he has to hear it clicking all day
My instructor (many years ago) said to pull it up on the ratchet deliberately so that the sound would show the examiner that you've put the handbrake on!
Well I wouldn't annoy the OP seeing as I hardly ever use the handbrake! On the odd occasion that I do use it I don't press the button in though. Didn't realise there was a good / bad theory on it.
Comments
Well that's not how ratchets work.
'To set: Pull up the lever.........'
It only says to depress the button when disengaging.
Also have a 2004 Volvo V40 and the owners manual has similar advice to the above:
'Pull the parking brake lever up firmly to its full extent'
I always engage "through the ratchet" - my wife shouts at me for doing it
The only damage I can think of is that the ratchet would wear down faster, but to be honest I think it's bordering an urban myth that not pushing the button damages the ratchet, particularly as manufacturers actually tell you not to push the button in.
I hold the button in until the lever is near the top and let go so it clicks 2-or-3 times into place. If I don't do this quite often I let go and the lever goes 'clunk' into place where the ratchet is between two teeth.
Check your owners manual - you may owe your dad an apology
Perhaps it was correct procedure on really old cars
You know as much as I'd love to apologise to my dad... I smashed the car up a couple of weeks ago and it's in the garage. If the insurers write it off I may never know!!
Honda wrote to all Civic owners affected stating in great detail exactly how to put the handbrake on properly. This included in bold that you should not press the button in when putting the handbrake on, which surprised me because when I learned to drive that was what we were taught to do. I guess cars have changed since then.
Is that a Mercedes? I used to own a C class and it was a foot pedal to engange the parking break, and a pull lever to disengage it.
Suprisingly, no - handbrake design has been the same since the 50s. They used to wear (as all ratchets will over time), but they build the sprockets and pawls from vanadium steel these days, so they will last longer than the normal life-span of the car. Cars have always suffered from the risk of the handbrake slipping if you drop the pawl on the end of a tooth (by depressing the button when engaging).
Basically, it's design as a ratchet, so use it as a ratchet. If you hate the noise that much, do as other have said - pull it semi-tight with the button depressed, and do the last couple of clicks without. (Obviously, this has no relevance to wear and tear where it matters, but avoids the crunching sound).
No - some cars thes days (mostly Renaults) have automatic hand-brakes which engage and disengage with a servo. When you are in neutral with foot off the clutch, it will engage, when in gear with some slight weight on the accelerator it will disengage.
I don't like them - it doesn't feel natural, especially if you want to ride the clutch from standstill.
Well, I only learned in 2006-7, which is when the instructor got irate when I didn't press the button in, so I presume it's still how they're teaching people now.
I have to say it's not mine but oh's.....but it's blocking mine in most of the time so I get used to it......then I take mine out.......and the reverse happens!
It's maybe different for different types of cars though.
That sounds rude:D
Vauxhall said a similar thing when they had a handbrake problem.
My instructor (many years ago) said to pull it up on the ratchet deliberately so that the sound would show the examiner that you've put the handbrake on!
However in order to not annoy the OP, you should ignore the manufacturer's advice, and do as they tell you.