i moved here from the uk, over there we always use our handbrake, but over here in the usa nobody seems to use their parking brake they just put the car in park.
my question is should i use it on my test, and when should i use it, just when parking, or on a steep hill?
any other tips?
thanks
2007-09-18 16:00:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
A parking brake is for holding the car in place when it's parked -- or as an emergency brake if the regular brakes should fail. However, it's not advisable to set the parking brake firmly after overheating the brakes (track use, or a long run down steep hills). In 99.999-percent of driving setting the parking brake will cause no warpage or other damage to the braking system.
The transmission is not a parking brake. However, for extra safety when parking on extremely steep hills (San Francisco), it's a good idea to set the parking brake, leave the car in gear (first gear when facing down hill, reverse when facing up hill), and curb the wheels. Remember, the transmission is not a parking brake. If the car should be nudged enough to turn the engine over, some damage to the transmission *could* result. And, if the engine is forced to rotate backwards, the timing belt could jump a tooth.
Set the parking brake firmly enough to hold the car stationary... don't stretch the cable.
2007-09-21 08:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes , you need to prove that you can do everything one would ever need to do when driving a car. If the car has a manual transmission, they will make you stop on a steep hill and start moving again, you need to know how to use a handbrake to do this. They use that brake in the UK because the cars have manual transmissions, so u cant just put it in park.
Tip, remember in the US, the right side of the road is the right side, the left side is the wrong side. I guess 'cause it's easier to drive that way if the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car.
2007-09-18 23:20:57 · answer #2 · answered by upsucker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was always taught to use it when parking on a hill. Also when you par on a hill you are supposed to turn the wheels towards the curb when it is parked to make it harder for the car to roll. If the car you have has a manual transmission then you should use the parking brake. If you want to use it while the car is in park I don't think they will fail you for using it it. But if you forget to take it off could count against you.
2007-09-18 23:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by walkerhound03 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't use it unless I feel it necessary. If I were on a steep hill, I would.
But doing it under any circumstance would not mark off any points, so you might as well just do it if it makes you feel safe.
2007-09-18 23:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by meowpotatoes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because we don't use them, doesn't mean that we shouldn't. Do use them when you are taking your test. When they tell you to park alongside the curb. Curb your wheels and set the parking brake.
good luck with the test.
2007-09-18 23:07:48 · answer #5 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use it when you park. I was deducted 2 points for not putting it on even though I still had my foot on the break.
2007-09-18 23:09:11 · answer #6 · answered by Rawbert 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋