Every car, be it automatic or manual, has two brakes; the main brake, which is found to the left of the accelerator, and the handbrake, interchangeably referred to as the parking brake or emergency brake. Despite performing the same function, they operate individually, and are best suited to different circumstances.
How does a handbrake work?
Depending on the age, model, and transmission of the car in question, the handbrake can be manual or electronic, foot-operated or hand-operated. Unlike the footbrake, the handbrake is connected to the back wheels of your car via a metallic cable. This serves two functions; firstly, it ensures that you have a method of stopping your vehicle should the hydraulic brake fail. Secondly, it allows you to engage the gas pedal while braking, which facilitates more advanced driving techniques such as drifting, and makes seamless hill starts easier.
Manual handbrakes are used either by pulling a level upwards or by pressing a pedal down with your foot. When you engage your handbrake, the metallic cable passes through an intermediate lever before coming to an equaliser, which splits the power evenly between the brake pads. If you have disc brakes, the existing caliper piston will engage, and if you have drum brakes, the cable will be attached directly to a level on the brake shoes. This may sound like gibberish, but what you should remember is this: the end result will immobilise the rear wheels of your car.
The handbrake in an automatic car
Cars with an automatic gearbox are equipped with an electronic handbrake, although they aren’t the only ones – selected manual transmission cars can also be seen implementing the concept. The mechanism itself works similarly to how it would in a manual system, except that an automatic handbrake is engaged by pushing or pulling a button. This will engage an electronic motor, which in turn powers the braking mechanism. As braking systems in automatic cars are able to act without human input, most electronic handbrakes will instinctively disengage themselves as you pull away.
When to use the handbrake
Knowing how and when to use the handbrake is crucial for proper and safe operation of your vehicle. There are some important things to keep in mind; first and foremost, you should never engage the handbrake while in motion – the only exception to this rule is when it must be engaged as a last resort, e.g. when your tyre blows out, or if your main brakes fail. Broadly speaking, the handbrake should be used...
- When you have no other options to make an emergency stop
- After a traditional emergency stop
- When attempting a hill start
- When idling for more than 5 seconds
- When parking
But more about that later. You may also use the handbrake to perform certain manoeuvres, such as a three point turn. Naturally, however, this entirely depends on the situation you find yourself in and the effect you’re trying to achieve.
Proper handbrake use
While most experienced drivers can utilise the handbrake to its full potential, those with fewer hours behind the wheel have a general tendency to overuse it. Unlike the footbrake, the handbrake has somewhat less obvious applications.
Emergency stop
If you need to perform an emergency stop, you should apply the handbrake once you have come to a full standstill. Usually, this should be the first thing you do, unless the circumstances dictate otherwise. Applying the handbrake will ensure your vehicle is secure while you complete any checks or additional actions required.
Traffic jam
If you are idling for more than 5 seconds in a traffic jam, or at a set of lights, you should put your vehicle into neutral and apply the handbrake. This is partly a matter of comfort, but it will also minimise the chances of sudden jerks, stalling, or rolling backwards.
Hill start
Learning how to do a hill start can be tricky; using your manual handbrake instead of the main footbrake can make it easier to move away safely and smoothly. To launch your car on an incline with the help of the handbrake, you first need to make sure you have it engaged. Depress the clutch to put your car into first gear, then lift the clutch until you feel the bite point. Finally, slowly release the parking brake to move away at a steady speed.
Last resort
If your hydraulic brakes fail, you can use your handbrake to perform an emergency stop. As with the traditional emergency stop, you should depress the clutch just before you come to a complete standstill. Since using the manual handbrake to perform an emergency stop will require you to let go of the wheel with one hand, it is important that you do not continue to grip the handbrake after engaging it; return to the wheel to ensure that you are in full control of the vehicle.
When parking
Naturally, your handbrake should be engaged once you’ve completed a parking manoeuvre. In fact, you should apply the handbrake immediately after you stop to ensure your car is secure; do this before you release the footbrake.
Understanding the handbrake
The handbrake is something you’ll use in your day-to-day life as a driver, hopefully when your car is under complete control. There will, however, be times when you’ll be forced to use it in less than ideal circumstances. In these cases, your ability to control the car will depend on your understanding of the values and limitations of your braking system. As such, it is extremely important you take the time to familiarise yourself with every aspect of your car’s controls, especially the often overlooked ones such as the parking brake, to ensure you use them competently in any scenario.