Wrong usage
① Too tight
The function of the handbrake is to make the vehicle stop and stabilize the vehicle, so as to avoid the accident caused by the vehicle sliding on some roads. Many friends think that everything is OK if the handbrake is pulled to the tightest position, but in fact, if the handbrake is pulled for a long time with 100% force, the service life of the handbrake cable will be shortened, because the deformation will be accelerated if the metal is over stretched or kept stretched for a long time, leading to the acceleration of the handbrake cable Brake fade. In addition, the handbrake has its own independent brake mechanism. When the handbrake is not used, the brake shoe will return automatically through the return spring. If the handbrake is often used with 100% force, the return spring will be in high-strength stretching effect, which will cause the return spring to lose its return effect over time.
② Parking with handbrake on the ramp for a long time
Now there is a shortage of parking spaces. Many parking spaces are planned to slope. After the car owner stops, he will directly fix the car with the handbrake, because this will make the handbrake bear too much braking force and make the handbrake wear faster. A more practical method can be used: put bricks or other objects under the tires, and then pull the handbrake to let the wheels and the handbrake bear the force together. If you are not sure, you can put the gear lever into 1st gear or reverse gear, so that multiple insurances can be achieved. For automatic gear models, you must first pull the handbrake to fix the car, and then put the gearbox into P gear, so as to reduce the burden of the gearbox, and prevent the lock of P gear from getting stuck, so that it cannot be unlocked normally.
However, we suggest that all car owners try not to park on the ramp, so as to hurt themselves.
③ Do not use hand brake when driving at high speed
Pulling the handbrake at high speed is easy to lock the rear wheel on one side and cause sideslip. The correct way is to slow down by downshifting. Pull the handbrake to stop the car when the speed is very low.
How to maintain the handbrake
As a mechanical thing, in addition to good use habits, regular maintenance is also very important. Next, I will introduce the maintenance precautions of handbrake.
① Check the efficiency of hand brake mechanism
Like the pedal of foot brake, the handbrake handle also has a pull stroke. Generally, when the handle is pulled to 70% of the whole stroke, the handbrake system should be in the normal braking position, so before checking the braking force of the handbrake, the 70% working point should be found out first, which can be determined by the sound of ratchet wheel. You can park the car in a quiet place, slowly pull up the handbrake, and count the click of ratchet as you pull, until the handle is pulled to the end. Then calculate the 70% position of the total noise, which is the effective working point of the handbrake handle.
② Test the sensitivity of handbrake
In addition to braking efficiency, the handbrake sensitivity should also be checked, which is particularly important for starting on a slope. Drive slowly on the road without gradient, slowly pull the handbrake handle, and feel the sensitivity and joint point of the handle. This inspection method will make the handbrake mechanism wear, so the inspection frequency should not be too much. In the process of inspection, if the brake efficiency or sensitivity of the handbrake is not ideal, it can usually be solved by adjusting the operation cable of the handbrake. There is an adjustable compensation mechanism at the connection between the bottom of the handbrake handle and the steel cable (generally covered by the interior trim). The length of the brake cable can be stretched by loosening the lock nut with a wrench. The adjustment mechanism of some cars can be set at the bottom of the car. If you are not familiar with it, you should ask professional maintenance personnel to deal with it.
Conclusion: Although the handbrake seems to be simple, it is the "system" that we often use in our daily driving life. Only by using and understanding the handbrake reasonably and correctly can it be used more smoothly in the future. It is very important for safety. In addition, it can also extend its adjustment cycle and reduce the cost of maintenance and replacement.
