Car is dead, so back to cycling!

[Brandane]

Extremely unlikely, it appears manufacturers manuals seem to state button only used when applying handbrake.

OK I stand corrected - maybe! It was the way I was taught, 30 years ago. It was still taught 11 years ago when I did my instructor training. Perhaps modern cars have more robust mechanisms, but it would still be good practice for learners to depress the button when applying the handbrake as they are likely to be driving older cars once let loose on their own.
Apart from anything else, the noise of the ratchet is annoying IMHO, so I will always use the button.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Extremely unlikely, it appears manufacturers manuals seem to state button only used when applying handbrake.

I'm confused, don't you mean when releasing the handbrake?

GC

 

[Globalti]

I'm sure the ratchets were finer and the mechanisms made from less suitable alloys in olden days so that they could wear and possibly the scare has arisen after incidents involving really old cars (I stumbled across a rally of 1930s cars in well-used, not concours condition last weekend). Whatever, like Brandane I do it as part of my doctrine of driving smoothly and with mechanical sympathy.

 

[BSRU]

OK I stand corrected - maybe! It was the way I was taught, 30 years ago. It was still taught 11 years ago when I did my instructor training. Perhaps modern cars have more robust mechanisms, but it would still be good practice for learners to depress the button when applying the handbrake as they are likely to be driving older cars once let loose on their own.
Apart from anything else, the noise of the ratchet is annoying IMHO, so I will always use the button.

I think most people just do it the way were taught.

 

[BSRU]

I'm confused, don't you mean when releasing the handbrake?

GC

No, applying the handbrake, i.e. the handbrake is engaged and the car will not move.

 

[Pale Rider]

Handbooks tend to say leave the button alone when applying the ratchet.

This is to ensure the ratchet fully engages at the last click.

My Vauxhall has an electronic handbrake, works quite well with the auto box.

 

[akb]

I'd be FAR more concerned with the drum actuation elbows than the handbrake ratchet. The ratchet in this case is seriously under cut wearing it out simply isn't going to happen. Actually it's a good idea to use the ratchet so you know what conditions the elbows are in.

Something tells me you like a fiddle with cars...? :-)

@Matthew_T Saw the video, but guess you need sound. Maybe you should go back to the motorcycle...

 

[JoeyB]

Whats a handbrake?

I have one of these:

Can be annoying sometimes when it doesn't auto release! But quite a nice feature when it is working correctly.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

No, applying the handbrake, i.e. the handbrake is engaged and the car will not move.

Sorry, I'm still confused.

Brandane wrote:

NOT pushing the button in when applying the handbrake will cause problems, as globalti said. You will eventually wear out the teeth on the ratchet mechanism. Once they are worn, there is nothing to stop the handbrake lever slipping when it is applied. You might not be lucky enough to be in the car when this happens!!

You disagreed, saying:

Extremely unlikely, it appears manufacturers manuals seem to state button only used when applying handbrake.

It seems to me you're both saying the button should be pushed in when applying the handbrake.


GC

 

[Glow worm]

I thought ratchet was another word for rodent droppings.

IGMC....

 

[JoeyB]

[QUOTE 3182417, member: 30090"]What do you use the car for @Matthew_T ?

And why did you start using your car instead of your bike?[/QUOTE]

I think he learnt to drive... I know when I learnt to drive I didn't plan to even look at a bike ever again lol

 

[Globalti]

Unfortunately inexperienced drivers will often ignore unusual sounds which are warning of imminent mechanical failure. It takes a while for the ear to become attuned to the sound of the vehicle you are driving and alert to unusual noises.

I had a young colleague who once gave me a lift in her first car and the first time she braked I heard metal on metal and told her to drive straight to the nearest garage and get new brake pads fitted. About two months later she arrived very late indeed for work, tutting and upset because she had braked and the wheels had locked solid. Looking underneath the car she had seen a collection of bits of metal that had dropped out - it turned out she had ignored my advice, continued driving and worn right through the brake discs, which had eventually disintegrated onto the road!

 

[GrasB]

Something tells me you like a fiddle with cars...? :-)

I race/rally a Fiat 'cento & being a self-funded privateer I have to do all mechanical work on them. Thus, I know them like the back of my hand both in stock & heavily modified form.

 

[BSRU]

Sorry, I'm still confused.

Brandane wrote:


You disagreed, saying:


It seems to me you're both saying the button should be pushed in when applying the handbrake.


GC

You're right, button only pressed when releasing the handbrake

 

[glasgowcyclist]

You're right, button only pressed when releasing the handbrake

Phew, thought I was going nuts there!

GC