Can I wait at a traffic light without pulling the handbrake? Why is the handbrake frozen in winter?

The handbrake is the parking brake, which is usually pulled or released when parking or starting. So should the handbrake be pulled when stopping for a short time like waiting at a traffic light? Why does the handbrake freeze in winter?

Can I not pull the handbrake when waiting at a traffic light?

You don't have to shift gears or pull the handbrake. This is a matter of personal habit and there is no fixed requirement.

Generally speaking, you need to put the car in neutral and step on the brakes when parking. If you are on a flat road, you don't need to pull the handbrake, but if you are on a slope, you must pull the handbrake to prevent the car from slipping.

When waiting for a traffic light, no matter how long it takes, you should put the car in neutral and step on the brakes. If you are waiting for a long time, it is better to pull the handbrake, so that you can loosen your right foot and relieve the fatigue of stepping on the brakes. If you are waiting for a short time, there is no need to pull the handbrake.

This can not only save fuel and maintain the car, but also reduce pollution and protect the environment. More importantly, it helps to relax and relieve the tense body, mind and nerves.

Why is the handbrake frozen in winter?

The phenomenon of freezing can actually be very simple. From a physical point of view, it is the entry of water vapor that causes the drum brake pads to lock and not separate. Don't think that the rear wheel disc brake and the handbrake are also disc brakes. After removing the tire, you will find that there is a drum brake inside the rear wheel disc brake, and this drum brake is responsible for the handbrake. So although the outer brake disc is fine, the car can't move. In fact, the drum brake inside is frozen. Not only the brakes, but also many places such as the car doors, if there is water or condensed water, they may freeze.

Once the handbrake line gets wet, the handbrake will freeze and cannot be pulled in winter. The only solution is to replace the handbrake line. There is no more effective solution. Although you can use a stick to hit the handbrake line to release the brake, it can only solve the problem temporarily. As long as you pull the handbrake again, it will be frozen again.

Can I drive an automatic car on flat ground without pulling the handbrake?

There is no problem not pulling the handbrake for an automatic transmission car on a flat road, but it is best to pull the handbrake and develop the habit of pulling the handbrake first when parking.

It can not only effectively protect the car, but also be safer. When parking an automatic car, you need to ensure that the car will not slip before shifting into P gear, otherwise it will cause impact on the gearbox and P gear locking mechanism.

Automatic car parking skills: After the car stops, do not release the foot brake, put the gear in N gear, tighten the handbrake, release the foot brake, turn off the engine, put the gear in P gear and pull out the key. When parking an automatic car, the handbrake should be used first, and the P gear is used as an auxiliary brake to play a double protection role.

The following points should be noted in daily life when using automatic transmission cars: automatic transmission cars cannot coast in neutral; when towing an automatic transmission car, the drive wheels must be raised, and four-wheel drive cars must be shipped as a whole; when waiting at red lights for a long time, it is recommended to shift the car to N gear and tighten the handbrake. If the car is rear-ended in P gear, it will cause impact damage to the gearbox.