When should you use the handbrake while operating your car 28^th February 2021

A handbrake, sometimes known as an emergency brake or e-brake, is vital for your car's safety. We're sure you're well aware of what a handbrake is for: it holds your vehicle from rolling backwards once you've stopped. If you're new to driving, you may be confused about how a handbrake functions and when to use it. Is it only for emergencies or also for parking?

Read ahead for the answers to these questions and much more so that you can take advantage of your vehicle's most vital safety features. Another way to ensure the total safety of your car is to buy car insurance online.

How does a handbrake function?
The handbrake on a vehicle may be mechanical or electrical, based on its age, model, and gearbox. Unlike the footbrake, the handbrake is linked to the rear wheels of your automobile through a steel wire. It serves two purposes. First, it assures that you have a way to stop your car if the hydraulic brake fails. Second, it enables you to press the accelerator pedal while braking, facilitating more sophisticated driving tactics like drifting and flawless hill starts. When applying the handbrake, the metal cable goes through an intermediary gear before arriving at an equaliser, distributing power equally across the brake pads. This will eventually freeze the back wheels and cause the vehicle to come to a stop.

When should you use a handbrake?
It is all too common for inexperienced drivers to misuse their handbrake. For example, never use the handbrake while the automobile is still in motion.

You should only apply the handbrake in the following situations.

1. When parking:
Only use the handbrake when your vehicle has come to a complete stop after parking.

2. When stopping:
If you come to a halt at an intersection or a traffic signal, you should apply your handbrake. When you've come to a complete stop at a pedestrian crossing, activating your handbrake will keep your vehicle from moving forward.

3. While turning:
To prevent rolling against the curb while turning on a road that descends towards the sidewalk, proceed carefully, utilise clutch control, and use the brakes after each motion.

4. Following an emergency break:
To conduct an emergency stop, you must utilise your hand brake and, if operating a manual vehicle, then also your clutch pedal simultaneously. However, after your car has come to a complete stop, you should use the handbrake and shift it into neutral.

5. Hill starts:
After coming to a stop on a hill, using your handbrake in conjunction will keep your car from rolling backwards.

When it comes to operating your handbrake, like with any other area of driving, the more you practice, the more accustomed and confident you'll get. However, another thing to keep in mind is to buy car insurance online and save considerably in case your car faces any external damage or requires repairing and servicing. Driving without possession of insurance is against the law, and as a beginner, you'll need to have all the protection you can get.

Click HERE to buy car insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.