Stopped at lights - brake/handbrake on or off?
Discussion
I did a search, but couldn't find an answer to this specific question.
When you come to a halt at a junction, should you engage the handbrake or not? Let's assume that the ground is level. Also, should you keep your foot on the brake, or lift it off?
I have been told by an instructor on a short (1 day) advanced driving course that I should keep my foot on the brake in order to keep my brake lights illuminated, but I have also heard that once a vehicle has stopped behind you, you should take your foot off the brake so as not to dazzle them.
I have also had conflicting advice about whether to put the handbrake on or not.
Thoughts?
When you come to a halt at a junction, should you engage the handbrake or not? Let's assume that the ground is level. Also, should you keep your foot on the brake, or lift it off?
I have been told by an instructor on a short (1 day) advanced driving course that I should keep my foot on the brake in order to keep my brake lights illuminated, but I have also heard that once a vehicle has stopped behind you, you should take your foot off the brake so as not to dazzle them.
I have also had conflicting advice about whether to put the handbrake on or not.
Thoughts?
nerfherder said:
I did a search, but couldn't find an answer to this specific question.
When you come to a halt at a junction, should you engage the handbrake or not? Let's assume that the ground is level. Also, should you keep your foot on the brake, or lift it off?
I have been told by an instructor on a short (1 day) advanced driving course that I should keep my foot on the brake in order to keep my brake lights illuminated, but I have also heard that once a vehicle has stopped behind you, you should take your foot off the brake so as not to dazzle them.
I have also had conflicting advice about whether to put the handbrake on or not.
Thoughts?
If I was there long enough to need the handbrake, I would. If a driver behind would benefit by me illuminating my brake lights, I would. If I could avoid blinding him (while remaining secure and safe) I would.When you come to a halt at a junction, should you engage the handbrake or not? Let's assume that the ground is level. Also, should you keep your foot on the brake, or lift it off?
I have been told by an instructor on a short (1 day) advanced driving course that I should keep my foot on the brake in order to keep my brake lights illuminated, but I have also heard that once a vehicle has stopped behind you, you should take your foot off the brake so as not to dazzle them.
I have also had conflicting advice about whether to put the handbrake on or not.
Thoughts?
That should suit most applications.
BFF
Whenever the car is stationary for more than a "momentary pause" the hand brake should be applied and neutral selected. I like the idea of the car being "inert" i.e. requiring no input from the driver in order to remain stationary, it's safest state.
As for warning drivers behind you, the fact that the car is stationary should be enough to do this IMO. My brake lights aren't bright enough to dazzle, although in some newer cars I suppose they could be.
As for warning drivers behind you, the fact that the car is stationary should be enough to do this IMO. My brake lights aren't bright enough to dazzle, although in some newer cars I suppose they could be.
Like so many other aspects of driving, there is no right and wrong here. As am IAM Observer, I cannot remember being fussed by an Associates choice of when to and when not to use the parking brake when on the flat - just so long as they do not hold the car on a slope by slipping the clutch! Some considerations (including those already mentioned) are:
It may be helpful to continue to show your brake lights until the situation behind you is stable. This probably means more than one vehicle stopped behind you. You may also want to consider the option of flashing the brake lights by pressing the brake pedal repeatedly if something is approaching uncomfortably fast. (I read about a piece of US research which suggested that auto cars were subject to fewer rear-end accidents than manuals, ascribed to the fact that the auto drivers kept their foot on the brake pedal).
Once the situation behind you is stable, you may want to avoid dazzling the driver behind. This is a particular issue at night in a dark area, where I for one would switch from foot brake to parking brake for a shorter stop than during the day.
If rear-ended while holding the car only on the footbrake, there is a possibility of the foot coming off the brake and aggravating the situation.
If at the front at red traffic lights, you may wish to be ready in gear to move off. If further back so that you will have more warning of the need to move, you may wish to relax with the gear in neutral and the parking brake applied.
Some parking brakes are much more convenient and pleasant to apply and release than others. An increasing number of cars have very easy to apply electrically operated parking brakes, which release automatically when you start off. It would be natural to take advantage of such a parking brake more often, and on the other hand to try to avoid using one which is noisy or inconvenient to operate.
Current Mercs have a brake hold feature, where putting an additional pressure on the footbrake locks it on, so that it stays on when you release the pedal. The footbrake is released either by pressing it again, or pressing the accelerator to start off. Merc clearly intend you to use this system, but you have to be careful not to dazzle drivers waiting behind.
In an auto, you have three choices - foot brake, parking brake or park. In choosing between park and parking brake, I would consider whether moving the lever to park flashes the reversing lights, and how smooth the gearchange is, as well as how pleasant and convenient the parking brake is.
It may be helpful to continue to show your brake lights until the situation behind you is stable. This probably means more than one vehicle stopped behind you. You may also want to consider the option of flashing the brake lights by pressing the brake pedal repeatedly if something is approaching uncomfortably fast. (I read about a piece of US research which suggested that auto cars were subject to fewer rear-end accidents than manuals, ascribed to the fact that the auto drivers kept their foot on the brake pedal).
Once the situation behind you is stable, you may want to avoid dazzling the driver behind. This is a particular issue at night in a dark area, where I for one would switch from foot brake to parking brake for a shorter stop than during the day.
If rear-ended while holding the car only on the footbrake, there is a possibility of the foot coming off the brake and aggravating the situation.
If at the front at red traffic lights, you may wish to be ready in gear to move off. If further back so that you will have more warning of the need to move, you may wish to relax with the gear in neutral and the parking brake applied.
Some parking brakes are much more convenient and pleasant to apply and release than others. An increasing number of cars have very easy to apply electrically operated parking brakes, which release automatically when you start off. It would be natural to take advantage of such a parking brake more often, and on the other hand to try to avoid using one which is noisy or inconvenient to operate.
Current Mercs have a brake hold feature, where putting an additional pressure on the footbrake locks it on, so that it stays on when you release the pedal. The footbrake is released either by pressing it again, or pressing the accelerator to start off. Merc clearly intend you to use this system, but you have to be careful not to dazzle drivers waiting behind.
In an auto, you have three choices - foot brake, parking brake or park. In choosing between park and parking brake, I would consider whether moving the lever to park flashes the reversing lights, and how smooth the gearchange is, as well as how pleasant and convenient the parking brake is.
Edited by waremark on Wednesday 31st October 15:19
Surely the advanced driver is the one who is intelligently making decisions based on the circumstances at any one time and as things develop?
There cannot be any right or wrong with regard to a circumstance (level ground, hanging around) which doesn't dictate an absolute. The tenets of observation and safety dictate the outcome.
Mind you of course whatever you do, you must never, ever, ever make a sound with the ratchet!
Bert
There cannot be any right or wrong with regard to a circumstance (level ground, hanging around) which doesn't dictate an absolute. The tenets of observation and safety dictate the outcome.
Mind you of course whatever you do, you must never, ever, ever make a sound with the ratchet!
Bert
We're always told during our advanced driving courses (emergency vehicles) to put the handbreak on and put vehicle in neutral at every traffic light.
Handbrake stops/slows the vehicle going forward when with from the back, you wont be able to keep ur feet on the brake during a sudden push from behind.
i use the handbrake if im going to be stopped for more than few seconds. i tend to hold the footbrake as well to iluminate the lights till im sure any cars behind know im stationary & are slowing so as not to ram me.
sitting behind car with the brakelights on at night for ages is a pet hate of mine, especially with the damn high level lights they all have nowdays.
sitting behind car with the brakelights on at night for ages is a pet hate of mine, especially with the damn high level lights they all have nowdays.
WhoseGeneration said:
So again, confusion.
VH and Reg your views?
PersonallyVH and Reg your views?
More than a momentary stop, apply handbrake.
Incline, apply handbrake.
In manual, if it looks like you will only be held for short time, 1st gear then handbrake.
If it looks like lengthier spell, handbrake then neutral.
In auto, leave in Drive, handbrake on to hold & come off foot brake.
The people who really wind me up are the ones who try to hold the car on an incline using clutch control. They roll back and forth, anyone sitting behind them is expecting to be rammed at any moment, and the air fills with the smell of burning clutch.
It isn't even lazy! It would actually be easier to put the handbrake on! What on earth are they playing at?
Whilst on the subject of incomprehensible stupidity. Why do Mercedes persist in this brake hold nonsense to get round the problem of the foot operated parking brake? They could fit a blasted handbrake and save everyone a great deal of trouble
It isn't even lazy! It would actually be easier to put the handbrake on! What on earth are they playing at?
Whilst on the subject of incomprehensible stupidity. Why do Mercedes persist in this brake hold nonsense to get round the problem of the foot operated parking brake? They could fit a blasted handbrake and save everyone a great deal of trouble
Dr Jekyll said:
Whilst on the subject of incomprehensible stupidity. Why do Mercedes persist in this brake hold nonsense to get round the problem of the foot operated parking brake? They could fit a blasted handbrake and save everyone a great deal of trouble
because your left hand is for holding the mobile to your ear old chap 
Hooli said:
Dr Jekyll said:
Whilst on the subject of incomprehensible stupidity. Why do Mercedes persist in this brake hold nonsense to get round the problem of the foot operated parking brake? They could fit a blasted handbrake and save everyone a great deal of trouble
because your left hand is for holding the mobile to your ear old chap Best wishes all,
Dave.
vonhosen said:
In auto, leave in Drive, handbrake on to hold & come off foot brake.
On my auto at least, applying the handbrake forces the rear of the car to "sit down" by 2-3 inches as the autobox is trying to crawl forward against the handbrake.This normal? This OK and won't damage anything?
Santa Claws said:
This normal? This OK and won't damage anything?
Yes it's normal and OK. It will gradually heat up the transmission fluid and better to drop it into neutral if you're likely to be there for a long time, but going in and out of neutral wears the clutch so for short stops it's actually better for it to be left in drive.GreenV8S said:
Santa Claws said:
This normal? This OK and won't damage anything?
Yes it's normal and OK. It will gradually heat up the transmission fluid and better to drop it into neutral if you're likely to be there for a long time, but going in and out of neutral wears the clutch so for short stops it's actually better for it to be left in drive.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
yes, talent indeed!! 
vonhosen said:
WhoseGeneration said:
So again, confusion.
VH and Reg your views?
PersonallyVH and Reg your views?
More than a momentary stop, apply handbrake.
Incline, apply handbrake.
In manual, if it looks like you will only be held for short time, 1st gear then handbrake.
If it looks like lengthier spell, handbrake then neutral.
In auto, leave in Drive, handbrake on to hold & come off foot brake.
Howvever, I've mentioned before that I think that the relationship between seat position and handbrake can influence the ease with which drivers can apply the handbrake and may explain why some don't use it as often as necessary.
Perhaps car designers should incorporate handbrake levers that move in alignment with the driver's seat to maintain the ideal position for leverage?
GW65 said:
One thing nobody has mentioned so far is the potential to warp your discs if you hold the car on the footbrake when they're hot after braking from high speed.
Surely they'd have to be REALLY hot, which means you would have to have braked hard from silly speed? I can't see this being much of an issue on modern cars, especially those with decent braking systems (e.g. porsche's brakes etc).
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