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Use handbrakes at traffic lights?
Hi guys, i recently passed my test and i was taught to use the handbrake whenever i stopped at a red light or something. i am now going to get my own car and i feel that it is too much effort every time to use the hb. can i not use the footbrake without rolling back? i mean by holding the clutch up to the biting point and then pressing/ releasing the footbrake as required? thanks
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Yea, I suppose you can do that.
I do that too. Engaging the handbrake at each red light would be too much of a hassle.
I do that too. Engaging the handbrake at each red light would be too much of a hassle.
I find it much easier to put the handbrake on....
My instructor always told me to use the handbrake if I'm going to be stopped for more than 3 seconds.
In the real world though, I usually just use the foot brake. Even on a steep hill, I can jump off the brake and onto the throttle/clutch fast enough to move into a hill-start without the use of the handbrake. But use whichever method works best for you. Don't sit for long periods of time on the clutch and throttle as you'll wear out the clutch, but do whatever feels most comfortable to you.
In the real world though, I usually just use the foot brake. Even on a steep hill, I can jump off the brake and onto the throttle/clutch fast enough to move into a hill-start without the use of the handbrake. But use whichever method works best for you. Don't sit for long periods of time on the clutch and throttle as you'll wear out the clutch, but do whatever feels most comfortable to you.
Lookup what thrust bearing`s are and look at thier role inside an engine. Then consider the forces put on them when the crankshaft loads up. IE the clutch is depressed.
In short. Dont ride the clutch.
Just use the handbrake, its what it was designed for.
In short. Dont ride the clutch.
Just use the handbrake, its what it was designed for.
(edited 11 years ago)
Do whichever the situation needs. You're taught as a learner to use the hand brake since it is much more difficult to stall from the handbrake, especially on a road that is even slightly uphill.
After a while you'll probably stop using the handbrake unless you're foot wants a rest from the clutch
After a while you'll probably stop using the handbrake unless you're foot wants a rest from the clutch
You were taught a particular way for a reason. Following traffic will not appreciate the glare from brake lights, especially at night. Also, holding biting point with foot on footbrake is just asking for trouble if you try to set off too quickly or make a slight error. You're risking a stall, and if this happens at a critical moment in a busy traffic light junction, you'll cause chaos.
Use the handbrake properly, for your own as well as everyone else's benefit. It's there to be used.
Use the handbrake properly, for your own as well as everyone else's benefit. It's there to be used.
If it's flat enough, I use neither 
It depends on how long I am going to remain stationary. If I'm only going to be sat there for 5 seconds, I'll use the footbreak. If not, I use my handbreak. Like others have said, it's not the best idea to sit on the footbreak for extended periods of time; especially at night!
(edited 11 years ago)
Holding your brake with the brake lights on shouldn't annoy the person behind, almost everyone in an automatic will have brake lights on during a stop.
When I drove a manual, I didn't hold the brake when there was no need but also didn't keep the clutch at its biting point.
On a hill, I would keep the brake down or handbrake if the hill was really steep then lift the clutch enough so the car doesn't roll and release the brake.
This shouldn't damage your clutch, I think it has a even lesser impact than actually changing gears unless you're an absolutely seamless gear changer. And also holding the car on the clutch should only be for a like a second or less once you get use to doing it.
In short, get an auto!!
When I drove a manual, I didn't hold the brake when there was no need but also didn't keep the clutch at its biting point.
On a hill, I would keep the brake down or handbrake if the hill was really steep then lift the clutch enough so the car doesn't roll and release the brake.
This shouldn't damage your clutch, I think it has a even lesser impact than actually changing gears unless you're an absolutely seamless gear changer. And also holding the car on the clutch should only be for a like a second or less once you get use to doing it.
In short, get an auto!!
Original post by naman
Hi guys, i recently passed my test and i was taught to use the handbrake whenever i stopped at a red light or something. i am now going to get my own car and i feel that it is too much effort every time to use the hb. can i not use the footbrake without rolling back? i mean by holding the clutch up to the biting point and then pressing/ releasing the footbrake as required? thanks
It's hardly 'too much effort' to use the hand break tbh. If you have good clutch control though, then don't bother.
EDIT: Some of these responses are just
Who on Earth would get annoyed by the "glare of the break lights" Just WTF.(edited 11 years ago)
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