Do you press the button when applying the handbrake?

[JM]

markmullen said:

No, I used to sell Vauxhalls, if you used the button sometimes they didn't apply properly and rolled across the pitch which was a touch awkward, not using the button cured that and it is habit now.

Surely that was because the hand brake wasn't applied correctly, pushing or not pushing in the button has little bearing other than hearing the noise on whether it is applied correctly.

[Laurel Green]

blueg33 said:

I was taught by my dad to push in the button on the handbrake when applying it to reduce wear on the ratchet. It also saves that horrible ratchety noise.

When I hear people's handbrake grating across the ratchet it makes me wince.

What do you do?

Same here and, find it hard to believe that some twenty P'Headers have stated that they do not use the button. It is all part of the finesse in driving!

[Bisonhead]

Disastrous said:

Bisonhead said:

Why else is it there?

Is it not to release the handbrake?

said tongue in cheek - HTH

[300bhp/ton]

Laurel Green said:

Same here and, find it hard to believe that some twenty P'Headers have stated that they do not use the button. It is all part of the finesse in driving!

Eh?

[Cotty]

VeeDub Geezer said:

I normally pull the handle tight with button depressed, release button and raise one click on the rachet.

Tight, button pressed till I think it will hold then a click if its still creeping

[bicycleshorts]

JM said:

markmullen said:

No, I used to sell Vauxhalls, if you used the button sometimes they didn't apply properly and rolled across the pitch which was a touch awkward, not using the button cured that and it is habit now.

Surely that was because the hand brake wasn't applied correctly, pushing or not pushing in the button has little bearing other than hearing the noise on whether it is applied correctly.

More likely that all Vauxhall handbrakes are crap.

Parents' Astra and Vectra have both failed, there was an investigation on watchdog about them where they were proved to be at fault. Vauxhall fixed this though, by sending a sticker which essentially said "The handbrake might not work, leave it in gear".

ETA: I press the button. Dislike the rachet noise... when you hear it from outside a car, it's normally following an abrupt stop and bad parking.

Edited by bicycleshorts on Wednesday 27th June 16:54

[GBTurbo]

The ratchet is supposed to ratchet why else would it be a ratchet mechanism? I love it and I've never ever ever heard or seen one that's been damaged by not pressing the button in lol

Handbrake not holding I would say is down to lack of maintenance and bad adjustment

[Perd Hapley]

Of couse I don't press the button, it's a ratchet. That's what the ratchet mechanism is for, ratcheting.

[otolith]

I would have said that I normally push the button, but it really doesn't matter and I don't care - but then I recently watched some video footage I shot in the car, and winced at the sound of me using the ratchet. So maybe I do think it matters but don't always do it!

[*Al*]

Perd Hapley said:

Of couse I don't press the button, it's a ratchet. That's what the ratchet mechanism is for, ratcheting.

Exactly, i work in car manufacture we press the button to release (obviously) and ratchet the handbrake on during quality checks.I've honestly never heard of worn out ratchets caused by not pressing the button when applying.

[Tyy]

vixen1700 said:

blueg33 said:

When I hear people's handbrake grating across the ratchet it makes me wince

Yeah, this really. Button all the way for me.

Yeah same here

[Face for Radio]

It was drummed in to me by my driving instructor, so it's just habit now to push the button in. I'm not fussed either way what other people do, but I have seen one that required replacement because it wouldn't catch anymore as it had worn from being pulled up without the button being pushed in.

I've also heard of brand new cars having catastrophic engine failure 100miles after being picked up, but it's very rare.

[Froomee]

Pull the handbrake up slowly without the button pressed in, when I push the button in i tend to put the handbrake on tighter (too tight).

[TIGA84]

When I was training to be an ADI it was apparently essential to do so.

I do it most times anyway through habit, although judging by what Tony said its all bks.

[samdale]

R0G said:

We have 3 AD examiners who hate the ratchet handbrake noise

I have always pressed the button since taking my test.

I remember my instructor telling me to do it during my test as examiners hearing that sound every day soon wore sick of it.

[Disastrous]

Bisonhead said:

Disastrous said:

Bisonhead said:

Why else is it there?

Is it not to release the handbrake?

said tongue in cheek - HTH

That doesn't make sense!

[Nedzilla]

Anyone who has bothered to answer yes or no to this thread obviously has far too much time on their hands!

Who cares if you press the button or not!

[blueg33]

Nedzilla said:

Anyone who has bothered to answer yes or no to this thread obviously has far too much time on their hands!

Who cares if you press the button or not!

Takes less time to vote than write a reply saying voters have too much time on their hands

[Mr2Mike]

McSam said:

Obviously..

Basic mechanical sympathy failure for those who do not.

So why do some manufacturers explicitly state the button should NOT be pressed when applying the handbrake?

[300bhp/ton]

samdale said:

I have always pressed the button since taking my test.

I remember my instructor telling me to do it during my test as examiners hearing that sound every day soon wore sick of it.

Isn't that a pretty dumb reason though. Maybe if they don't like the sound of a diesel engine they won't let you start the car either.