What are the consequences of not releasing the handbrake? Is there any harm in pulling the handbrake for a long time?

The handbrake is another braking device besides the footbrake. It is mainly used in conjunction with the footbrake and also plays a certain emergency role. The handbrake must be pulled down when driving, otherwise it will affect the driving and throttle, and it will also cause certain damage to the car.

What are the consequences of not releasing the handbrake?

When the handbrake is not released before driving, the most direct impact is that the brake disc will wear faster, the brake pad will harden due to heat, and the handbrake cable will be stretched. This may cause the braking performance to deteriorate, sometimes causing the owner to smell a coke smell. In severe cases, smoke will come out of the rear of the car. If the handbrake is used for a long time, it may also cause the brake cylinder to seize, the brake oil to leak, and the brake fluid temperature to be too high, resulting in a complete loss of braking function.

If it is an electronic handbrake, the instrument will give an alarm, and some cars will release the handbrake automatically when you step on the accelerator. If the electronic handbrake motor is on the brake pump, it usually cannot run fast, and it will not move even if you step on the gas.

If the handbrake is not released, it can usually be discovered in time, because the car can't run very far with the handbrake on, just a few meters. After all, if the car can't run, it has to stop and check. This is the habit of every driver. So the wear and tear on the brake pads, tires, etc. will not be too great, so don't worry too much. But try to avoid such things.

So before driving, check the instrument to see if there are any warning lights. Generally, there will be a warning light when the handbrake is pulled, unless the handbrake switch is broken. If you drive too far, the mechanical handbrake also needs to be adjusted!

Is it harmful to keep the handbrake on for a long time?

First of all, if you pull the handbrake all the way down while the car is moving, it will easily drift and skid if the steering wheel is not well controlled, which will directly damage the tires and brakes and accelerate wear; in addition, the car will also be subjected to strong lateral force when drifting and skidding, causing a certain degree of damage to the entire body structure.

If you pull the handbrake all the way down while the car is parked, it will stop naturally. However, due to the design of the handbrake limiter, you need to use more force to release the handbrake.

In any case, once the handbrake is pulled all the way, over time, the taut cable will make the handbrake more likely to loosen and become weaker, and will also cause certain damage to the handbrake lever mechanism.

Because the handbrake is a mechanical brake, braking is achieved by a steel wire connected to the rear brake shoe. When you pull up the handbrake, the steel wire will be tightened, and when you release it, it will relax. The pulling and releasing of the handbrake is controlled by a spring. If the steel wire and spring are subjected to too much force or for too long, they are prone to fatigue or even damage.

Therefore, high-intensity or long-term (more than 12 hours) use of the handbrake will affect the tension of the handbrake cable, and over time the handbrake cable will fail prematurely.

How far can you pull the car's handbrake?

When parking on flat ground, just pull it to 50%, and when parking on a slope, pull it tighter. However, it is best not to use the handbrake for too long. For example, if you park overnight, it is best to wait until the vehicle is stable, then release the handbrake, shift the automatic transmission to P gear, and shift the manual transmission to reverse gear. If parking on a slope, it is best to block the wheels with bricks before releasing the handbrake.