You know you're an advanced driver when...

[ExadiNigel]

....And did I mention pressing in the button on the handbrake? No, neither does she . . .

I no longer teach pupils they should push the button in now that many car handbooks say NOT to push the button in when applying the handbrake.

Nigel

[ROG]

..... many car handbooks say NOT to push the button in when applying the handbrake.

Why

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

The ratchet is designed for many thousands of operations. If you don't push the button, the spring on the ratchet will ensure that the pawl falls into one of the gaps between the teeth. If you do push the button, there's a very slight risk that you can release the pawl onto the top of a tooth and have it stay there, instead of falling tightly into a gap. A knock can then reduce the tension by causing the ratchet to slip down one or more teeth before it re-engages.

Also, if you're pressing in the button, you're sort of acknowledging that you're being more mechanically sympathetic, and therefore also perhaps subconsciously not pulling the handbrake on as tight as you might otherwise do.

I tend to employ a compromise between the two. I pull up the handbrake with the button depressed, and then at the top of the travel, I release the button. I then snug the brake up by one or two clicks without the button depressed, so that I know it's engaged firmly, and I know the pawl has fallen into a tooth gap by the audible "click".

HTH

[Gareth]

Also, if you're pressing in the button, you're sort of acknowledging that you're being more mechanically sympathetic, and therefore also perhaps subconsciously not pulling the handbrake on as tight as you might otherwise do.

That's an interesting comment ... I get very annoyed when people pull on a handbrake tighter than is necessary. Perhaps it's because I've had cars where the handbrake effectiveness appears to diminish over time and especially when it's been repeatedly pulled up as far as possible. Maybe just blind prejudice on my part though

However I'm struck by two thoughts. The first is that if the handbrake holds the car, then is it being mechanically sympathetic to pull it on any further? The second is whether I, as a large and middlin' strong bloke, would be able to pull the handbrake on further than a person who has much less strength in the arm ... and if such a person pulls on the handbrake enough then what benefit is there in me (or anyone else) pulling the handbrake on further?

Finally and against all I've just written, I have driven cars where the handbrake operates one of the pair of pistons in each of the rear calipers, pressing the pads against the disks, and if the disks cool and contract then the handbrake may no longer stop the car from rolling. To counteract this possibility I invariably park in gear and with the front wheels angled to minimise the distance they can roll.

[ROG]

I've just realised what I automatically do - button in - pull up handbake - then I twitch my hand whilst still gripping

I must have been subconciously doing this to ensure it is between, and not on top of, the ratchet bit

[Renny]

Another point on applying the handbrake is that I apply the footbrake whilst applying the handbrake. This used to mean that all the handbrake cables would do was move to hold the shoes in the position that the hydraulics had moved them to. Now with rear disc brakes, this is not the case and Gareth's point is very important.

[Standard Dave]

back to the original question.

... you test drive a new or used car at a dealership and the sales guy comments on how good the drive was.

... you stop at lights with tyres and tarmac visible and it lets you move out of the way of an emergency vehicle.

... you execute an excellent overtake using cross views of bends or junctions when other people didn't even realise that an overtake was possible.

... change the position of the steering wheel for distance and rake after getting into a different vehicle.

[Custom24]

... you test drive a new or used car at a dealership and the sales guy comments on how good the drive was.

Hardly a neutral assessment of your driving.

[Octy_Ross]

you put the windows down before you get to the junction with a poor or restricted view, when you're the passenger!

[Custom24]

....you realise the term is no longer relevant to you.

Sorry about my sniping at people's posts in this thread.

I think this is the one I most agree with, as long as the point is "the term is irrelevant to me - I'm just a driver, trying to be a better one".

[Octy_Ross]

Sorry about my sniping at people's posts in this thread.

ah go on - you'll like it really

[jont]

you put the windows down before you get to the junction with a poor or restricted view, when you're the passenger!

I watched one of my passengers go for that one - then realise the roof was off

[TripleS]

I've just realised what I automatically do - button in - pull up handbake - then I twitch my hand whilst still gripping

I must have been subconciously doing this to ensure it is between, and not on top of, the ratchet bit

That's probably what I do, and I think that makes best sense. I still do not like the idea of pulling the handbrake lever through its full travel without pressing the button at all, though I've no idea what the car handbooks say about this, and how they may justify that advice.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Gareth]

I've no idea what the car handbooks say about this, and how they may justify that advice.

They probably try to include the simplest most reliable instructions for fear of being sued.

[zadocbrown]

I've no idea what the car handbooks say about this, and how they may justify that advice.

They probably try to include the simplest most reliable instructions for fear of being sued.

My votes for that one

For myself I will continue to push in the button and apply the brake with just sufficient force, thus saving my left hand from the slim possibility of vibration white-finger and allowing the cable to remain in adjustment.

If there's any risk of the car rolling away if the brake releases I leave the car in gear anyway, so what's the problem?