Correct Handbrake Procedure

Dallas · 8th September 2016, 19:33

Following on from another thread, I thought a poll was in order to see what handbrake procedure got the most votes.

What is the correct procedure for applying and releasing the handbrake?

Many of us dont like the ratchet/click noise when the handbrake is applied, we also press the button in to minimise ratchet wear when applying the handbrake.

Some say the design is to ratchet up without pressing the button to minimise the risk of it not latching properly, that pressing of the button is for releasing only.

SWIMBO and I have had this little disagreement for sometime, SWMBO was taught by her driving instructor that pressing the button was for releasing the lever only.

I was taught to press the button when applying the handbrake, and obviously when releasing... so which procedure is correct?

I have just checked my MG ZT owners manual, I better not tell SWMBO as it looks like she maybe correct.

The manual states.
To apply the handbrake, pull the lever up. Always apply fully whenever you park the car.
To release, pull the lever up slightly, depress the button (arrowed in illustration) and fully lower the lever.

What do you guys and girls do?

iandux · 8th September 2016, 19:42

As a former Approved Driving Instructor trainer, I would always teach that allowing the lever to ratchet up on the mechanism is likely to cause excessive wear, and would be recorded as a minor fault on a driving test. That wear, if bad enough, could cause the ratchet to slip out of a worn tooth, releasing the handbrake (and probably when you're not in it!).

Pushing the button before applying and releasing at the top of the lever travel prevents this potential wear.

Then, press the button to release and letting it go once the lever is fully depressed is the correct way to release.

macafee2 · 8th September 2016, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by iandux

As a former Approved Driving Instructor trainer, I would always teach that allowing the lever to ratchet up on the mechanism is likely to cause excessive wear, and would be recorded as a minor fault on a driving test. That wear, if bad enough, could cause the ratchet to slip out of a worn tooth, releasing the handbrake (and probably when you're not in it!).

Pushing the button before applying and releasing at the top of the lever travel prevents this potential wear.

Then, press the button to release and letting it go once the lever is fully depressed is the correct way to release.

this is the way I was taught. I cringe when I hear people pull the level up without depressing the button

macafee2

HarryM1BYT · 8th September 2016, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

this is the way I was taught. I cringe when I hear people pull the level up without depressing the button

macafee2

Worse still is the habit of not applying the handbrake at such as the traffic lights and sitting with the foot brake applied or even worse - rocking it on the clutch

windrush · 8th September 2016, 20:27

i was a driving instructor in the army and it use to cost the learners Sixpence for every click heard when applying the handbrake they soon learnt

Dallas · 8th September 2016, 20:30

Another procedure that some may do, or may not do.

When parking on a steep slope, do not rely on the handbrake alone to hold the car.

On manual gearbox models, leave the car parked with the gearbox in low FORWARD gear when facing UPHILL.

... and in REVERSE gear when facing DOWNHILL.

COLVERT · 8th September 2016, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Worse still is the habit of not applying the handbrake at such as the traffic lights and sitting with the foot brake applied or even worse - rocking it on the clutch

Or Harry, holding it on a slope with the clutch.--

In hilly Devon I've seen lots of folks doing that.----

------Waiting for the traffic lights to change.

You can sometimes get a whiff of burning clutch plate.

KRISTLEE · 8th September 2016, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Worse still is the habit of not applying the handbrake at such as the traffic lights and sitting with the foot brake applied or even worse - rocking it on the clutch

Sorry Harry even though I always press the button in when operating the hand brake it only gets pressed twice per journey when I first take the handbrake off at the start and when I put the handbrake on at the end of my journey as I must admit I am one of those who sit at traffic lights with my foot on the brake pedal.

I have actually done a lot of reading online and doing this causes no damage but I know at night the glare from rear brake lights can be irritating to cars sitting behind....my excuse is I very very seldom drive at night so I'm not causing any eyesores to fellow drivers

keithst24 · 8th September 2016, 20:45

I use the ''P''

KRISTLEE · 8th September 2016, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithst24

I use the ''P''

Sometimes when I park up on level ground that's all I use and don't put the handbrake on.

View Poll Results: How do you apply the handbrake
Press button and pull lever up	84	79.25%
Button is for releasing lever only	22	20.75%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 106. You may not vote on this poll

8th September 2016, 19:33	#1
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Correct Handbrake Procedure Following on from another thread, I thought a poll was in order to see what handbrake procedure got the most votes. What is the correct procedure for applying and releasing the handbrake? Many of us dont like the ratchet/click noise when the handbrake is applied, we also press the button in to minimise ratchet wear when applying the handbrake. Some say the design is to ratchet up without pressing the button to minimise the risk of it not latching properly, that pressing of the button is for releasing only. SWIMBO and I have had this little disagreement for sometime, SWMBO was taught by her driving instructor that pressing the button was for releasing the lever only. I was taught to press the button when applying the handbrake, and obviously when releasing... so which procedure is correct? I have just checked my MG ZT owners manual, I better not tell SWMBO as it looks like she maybe correct. The manual states. To apply the handbrake, pull the lever up. Always apply fully whenever you park the car. To release, pull the lever up slightly, depress the button (arrowed in illustration) and fully lower the lever. What do you guys and girls do? Last edited by Dallas; 8th September 2016 at 20:21..

8th September 2016, 19:42	#2
iandux Loves to post At last....75 Facelift Connie Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Longridge Posts: 443 Thanks: 199 Thanked 117 Times in 70 Posts	As a former Approved Driving Instructor trainer, I would always teach that allowing the lever to ratchet up on the mechanism is likely to cause excessive wear, and would be recorded as a minor fault on a driving test. That wear, if bad enough, could cause the ratchet to slip out of a worn tooth, releasing the handbrake (and probably when you're not in it!). Pushing the button before applying and releasing at the top of the lever travel prevents this potential wear. Then, press the button to release and letting it go once the lever is fully depressed is the correct way to release. __________________ A man is not a failure if he falls.....only if he refuses to get up again. This vehicle was the 96,129th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,123rd 75 CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 4,744 This vehicle was the 394th 75 in Firefrost Red (code: CEV) to be made out of 2,089 Firefrost Red 75s Last edited by iandux; 8th September 2016 at 19:45..

8th September 2016, 20:27	#5
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	i was a driving instructor in the army and it use to cost the learners Sixpence for every click heard when applying the handbrake they soon learnt __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

8th September 2016, 20:30	#6
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	When parking on a steep slope Another procedure that some may do, or may not do. When parking on a steep slope, do not rely on the handbrake alone to hold the car. On manual gearbox models, leave the car parked with the gearbox in low FORWARD gear when facing UPHILL. ... and in REVERSE gear when facing DOWNHILL.

8th September 2016, 20:45	#9
keithst24 This is my second home X Power Grey MGZT 180+ Auto... Bumble & 1.8T Odessey Rover 75 Contemporary SE manual Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Reigate Posts: 5,375 Thanks: 2,254 Thanked 1,801 Times in 1,403 Posts	I use the ''P'' __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Bumble Membership Number 35478 Born Monday, 16th June 2003 @ 14:30:35 This vehicle was the 9,196th ZT to run off the production line, out of 18,894 This vehicle was the 576th ZT 180 + to be made out of 828 This vehicle was the 871st ZT in XPower Grey (code: LEF) to be made out of 3,143 XPower Grey ZTs