Do you press the button when applying the handbrake?

[dvs_dave]

I always press the button when applying the handbrake. How else are you supposed to do a handbrake turn?

Seriously though I always do just out of habit. I know the ratchet won't wear out but I just don't like the noise it makes. It also smacks of an oafish lack of finesse.

No facts behind my reasoning but I think you'll probably find that someone who ratchets the handbrake up every time is less likely to have a good understanding of the finer points of automobile operation.

[otolith]

Of course, a driver with true finesse also holds down the seat belt button while inserting the buckle, to avoid wearing out the mechanism and making an annoying "clunk-click" noise.

[Perd Hapley]

otolith said:

Of course, a driver with true finesse also holds down the seat belt button while inserting the buckle, to avoid wearing out the mechanism and making an annoying "clunk-click" noise.

Seatbelts just click, the clunk in 'clunk click' is the car door closing.

This post brought to you by Jimmy Saville's ghost.

[otolith]

Perd Hapley said:

otolith said:

Of course, a driver with true finesse also holds down the seat belt button while inserting the buckle, to avoid wearing out the mechanism and making an annoying "clunk-click" noise.

Seatbelts just click, the clunk in 'clunk click' is the car door closing.

This post brought to you by Jimmy Saville's ghost.

Ah, well spotted, but of course you will be closing the door gently with your arm out of the window to hold the door handle open, so there will be no clunk and no click!

[traffman]

The police driver training type man told me that if you rest your hand on the gear lever whilst driving this entails wear , also when applying said handbrake he said push the button in as this reduces wear and tear .

So allways leave your nob alone and push ya button when haulin up.

[Mastodon2]

I always press the button before applying the handbrake - mechanical wear or not, the noise is awful, I wince inside when I hear people yanking their handbrakes on to the max as I walk through car parks.

[hyperblue]

Nope, it's a ratchet and my car handbook advises against pushing the button in whilst pulling it up. The only purpose of the button is to release the ratchet.

[Nuttah]

You know what? im actually not sure if i do or not its something i just do sub consciously i will try an make a mental note and discover what it is i actually do next time i go out!

[300bhp/ton]

I do hold the button in - for hand brake turns and auto testing

[andy_s]

Mr2Mike said:

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

Who dat?


Button presser here I'm afraid, I'm sure it makes no difference whatsoever either way, just habit, old dog and all that.

[B'stard Child]

300bhp/ton said:

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's a ratchet, it's meant to make that noise else it wouldn't be a ratchet. Sometimes people really miss the obvious

Also, have you ever heard of the ratchet being worn on a handbrake due to ratcheting.

I have very common on older and cheaply built cars - MKII Polo for sure - a neighbour put hers into a wall when the ratchet failed after years of being pulled up in drag mode rather than button pushed an dthen released at end of travel

[otolith]

andy_s said:

Mr2Mike said:

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

Who dat?

Vauxhall for one;

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/content/dam/Vauxhall/Eur...

(page 124)

The one for the Corsa is the first one I found, the Astra is the same and I expect they all are.

[300bhp/ton]

B'stard Child said:

I have very common on older and cheaply built cars - MKII Polo for sure - a neighbour put hers into a wall when the ratchet failed after years of being pulled up in drag mode rather than button pushed an dthen released at end of travel

Sounds like poor design and components. Although if it wears - replace it. You know like you'd do with the brake pads

[Trommel]

dvs_dave said:

No facts behind my reasoning but I think you'll probably find that someone who ratchets the handbrake up every time is less likely to have a good understanding of the finer points of automobile operation

See also people twirling the steering wheel whilst standing still.

[AJB]

nickbee said:

Do the button-pressers here also hold the door handle in the 'open' position until the car door is fuly closed, to stop the catch from wearing out?

Probably would if I could, but it won't shut if you do - it needs to slam a little to compress the rubbers and latch and it'd be almost impossible to let go of the handle at the right time.

Having said that, it's not because it'll wear out. The door catch and the handbrake ratchet will both almost certainly outlast the car! The handbrake one just feels like the right thing to do, it's almost no hassle to do, and so I generally do it.

[andy265]

I voted yes, but I just looked at the manual for my Focus and it says you should not press it.

[fredbrad]

[quote=VeeDub Geezer]I normally pull the handle tight with button depressed, release button and raise one click on the rachet.

I have seen rachets wear to the point of needing replacement but it would seem it's certain cars that suffer more than others. [/quote


This. ^^
That is how I was taught - press button and pull handbrake up, release button and one click - although on the older motors it used to be a lever not a button.

[andy_s]

otolith said:

andy_s said:

Mr2Mike said:

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

Who dat?

Vauxhall for one;

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/content/dam/Vauxhall/Eur...

(page 124)

The one for the Corsa is the first one I found, the Astra is the same and I expect they all are.

Chars , learn something new everyday

[littleredrooster]

Yes - on all my previous (non-electronic) cars, I pressed the button to prevent wear.

The car in which I learnt to drive (a 1947 Ford 10) had a handbrake with a goosed ratchet and would spontaneously let loose at the most inopportune moment.

I learned to tap-dance at the same time

[New POD]

Wifey complains if I don't press the button in, but I never ever do. The button is to RELEASE it.