Applying Handbreak - Press Release button or Not

codeX

I've always thought you'd need to press the release button when applying the handbreak to prevent damage.

But I just noticed this in my Ford Focus manual:

"Do not press the release button while pulling the the lever up"



Any thoughts?

facade

Probably because Vauxhalls were renowned for rolling downhill if the ratchet was not fully engaged, so leaving the button alone ensures that the spring presses the ratchet into full engagement.

I've never pressed the button when pulling on the handbrake, and I've never worn one out in getting on for 40 years.

It means that I can subconciously count how many clicks it is going on and get an idea if there is something needing adjusting.

(My driving instructor always used to jump up & down saying "hold the button in- it will wear out", but I guess he had 30 people a week pulling it on 50 times an hour)

arcon5

I can't be ar5ed either with pressing the button, pull up and jump out - no fannying around.
It'll not add any meaningful wear to the cable!

bod1467

I've always pressed the button, because the ratchet noise gets on my thruppennys after a while.

EssexExile

I drive an automatic, what's a parking brake?

Tigsteroonie

I've never pressed the button on the upward movement, only ever on down/release.

When I saw the thread title, I thought this was going to be a discussion about whether people bother releasing their electronic parking brakes with the button, or simply go for the 'start accelerating and it'll release automatically' method.

Ectophile

I was told to press the button when I was taught to drive umpteen years ago, so that's how I've always done it.

I believe the reason for not doing it is that it is possible to end up with the handbrake left right on the edge between one ratchet click and another. Then when you leave the car, it clicks back to the ratchet position below, and starts rolling away.

But then, I was also taught to leave the car in gear, and the wheels pointing in to the kerb.

facade

Ectophile wrote: »

I believe the reason for not doing it is that it is possible to end up with the handbrake left right on the edge between one ratchet click and another. Then when you leave the car, it clicks back to the ratchet position below, and starts rolling away.

Thats right, Vauxhall did a recall on some models and fitted a new ratchet, presumably with bigger teeth after a spate of cars rolling away "by themselves" Signum was one. Their advice was to not touch the button when pulling on, and make sure the lever had locked in position.

SuperAllyB

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I've never pressed the button on the upward movement, only ever on down/release.

When I saw the thread title, I thought this was going to be a discussion about whether people bother releasing their electronic parking brakes with the button, or simply go for the 'start accelerating and it'll release automatically' method.

When I saw the thread title I thought it was going to be about a fractured metacarpal.

Strider590

I have one of the Vauxhalls affected, tbh you'd have to be a complete plank to "replicate" the "issue".

My preferred method for applying handbrake is hold button, pull up, release button and then pull up one more notch.

I believe the reason your Ford manual says what it does, is basically them covering their backs should a problem ever occur.

jimmo

Maybe an old wives tale but it used to be said 3 to 5 clicks is good but 6 or more needs looking at and could fail the MOT.