6 problems with car handbrakes that drivers often encounter

1. When parking, put in P first or pull the handbrake first?

The habit of drivers is to stop the car, put it in P, pull the handbrake, and turn off the engine. But in fact, this can damage the ratchet gear.

The parking brake is a lifesaver, helping to keep the car stationary even when the ratchet cannot hold the transmission. If you put the car in P first, because of the small gap between the ratchet and the holder, the output shaft of the transmission will rotate, increasing the pressure on the ratchet; this pressure is greater if the parking area is steeper. This pressure can cause mechanical wear in the long run.

2. How to pull the handbrake in case of foot brake failure?

Brake failure is one of the most dangerous situations that many drivers can encounter. At this time, besides shifting to low gear, the handbrake is a useful rescue. Drivers who lose their composure can pull the handbrake hard to stop the car quickly, but this will cause the wheels to lock unexpectedly, the car will spin sideways and an accident is difficult to avoid.

The correct way to handle this is to calmly pull the handbrake slowly, from low to high according to speed; first pull gently in each notch to gradually slow down the car, then when the car slows down, pull hard to stop the car.

3. How to use the electronic handbrake?

Many new drivers sweat when sitting in a new car, looking everywhere but not finding the handbrake to pull, that may be because the car uses an electronic handbrake. The electronic handbrake has a button with the letter P (Parking) on ​​it, just hook this button and the handbrake will be activated, the light will be on, when you want to release the handbrake, just press the button down.

Some manufacturers design it in reverse, meaning pressing down activates while hooking it back deactivates.

4. How do I know if the handbrake is fully down?

Many drivers are in a hurry and do not lower the handbrake all the way, still stuck at the last one or two notches. Most cars today will have a handbrake warning light on the screen, if the handbrake is not fully lowered, many cars will have a "beep beep" sound to remind the driver.

But for older cars without warning lights, drivers should check by holding down the button at the top of the brake lever, lifting it up and down in a short period of time, repeating a few times to make sure the handbrake is completely lowered.

5. What to do if the handbrake cannot be released?

To lower the handbrake, the driver presses the button at the top of the lever to separate the lever from the gear tooth, thereby lowering it. But for some reason, it may be that the force of pressing the button is not enough; or when pulling the handbrake too hard, the lever is fixed on the gear tooth above, at this time even if the button is pressed, the handbrake cannot be lowered.The tip for drivers is to press the button, hold and pull the handbrake up slightly before releasing it and it will work.

But there are also cases where it is impossible to lower due to mechanical jamming, at this time the system must be opened to find a solution. Advice for new drivers is not to pull the handbrake too hard, pull it gradually to feel the stability.

6. Why can't some cars find the handbrake?

Many automatic cars do not have a handbrake to pull, nor an electronic handbrake button, because most likely this part has moved to the left foot, in the position of the clutch pedal on a manual car. The way to use it is to step on it to apply the brake, step on it again to release the brake.

Ngoc Anh