Rubbish Handbrake

Ebe_Scrooge

As has been said earlier, handbrakes are a mechanical system, these days most "driving" brakes are servo-assisted. This is one of the reasons I was taught that if you're driving and your brakes fail, try applying the handbrake in short bursts - this may help if the main braking mechanism has failed ( fluid or servo problems ). I was also taught to never trust the handbrake alone if parking on a hill - always leave it in gear, and point the wheels into the kerb, as handbrakes, even the best-maintained, can fail, so this is a belt-and-braces approach. It's a good habit to get into - always leave it in gear when you park ( even on the level ), just remember to put it into neutral and / or engage the clutch before you next start the engine.