When do you use your handbrake (aka parking brake)?
For me, it’s pretty much any time I stop. Obviously when parked but also on active roads, but it seems there are many who don’t. So I’ve asked on social media and it seems many feel it may slow down their moving away when lights change for example.
If I’m going to be stopped for more than a second or two I’ll generally apply my handbrake.
Why?
It’s about control of the car, if I am nudged by another car it’s less likely I’m pushed into another car. If I’m nudged, I don’t need to worry about feet slipping of the pedals, particularly if still in gear.
Secondary to above, sitting on the clutch trying to balance the biting point with gas input can’t be good for the clutch. This goes beyond mechanical sympathy when stopped on a hill, in traffic or at a junction.
Watch next time how many cars roll back and forth as the drivers tries to balance clutch and gas. Think about how much control of the car that driver actually has.
It has to be easier to just apply handbrake.
Speed of moving off
I’ve seen a few comments online about ut being faster to move off if not using the handbrake. I don’t believe this to be accurate based on my own driving.
Sure, I have to use a hand to release brake at the same time as I move away but that’s not different to when I start off from parked.
The most significant impact on move away speed is simply paying attention to what is going in.