We will go into more detail as to how these brakes operate to allow you to stop a car in varying situations. Learning more about how they work and the difference between handbrake and foot brake not only provides you with interesting information about how your car works but can help you if something needs repair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Mechanical Differences Between a Handbrake vs. Foot brake <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBeyond the physical location of the foot brake next to the gas pedal that you control with your feet, and the handbrake is a pull lever controlled by hand, there are very different technical mechanisms controlling both. Understanding the differences between the two provides you with useful knowledge of the inner workings of your vehicle and when to use both brakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The technology used to control your braking systems varies quite significantly from handbrake to foot brake. Let\u2019s look at the technical differences and setup for both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow does a Handbrake work<\/strong>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Canva-Picture-of-car-hand-brake-close-up.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHandbrakes, which can serve as emergency and parking brakes<\/strong>, are found as a single lever near the gear shifter. Handbrakes are part of auxiliary brake systems that support your foot brake in the event that it doesn\u2019t work or you need additional support. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPerformance vehicles almost always have a handbrake<\/strong>, while other models may design these auxiliary brakes as a foot pedal<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHandbrakes are specifically different from foot brakes and even other auxiliary braking systems because their primary job is to stop and lock the use of the back wheels, while foot brakes engage the front wheels, often through automatic braking systems and hydraulic systems in modern-day cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acting on the rear wheels with a mechanical braking system, handbrakes<\/a> are attached to a cable that runs to these wheels and operates levers that engage the brake. In back wheels, drum brakes are typically used, where the levers press the brake against the drum and therefore slow the car down. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMost cars will use drum brakes where the handbrake can directly attach to the rear wheels, but some have disc brakes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf a handbrake is applied to a disc brake system, there are additional levers connected to the caliper and pistons on the brake to control brake pads. A corkscrew will press against the caliper, which engages the brake pads to stop the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the major points you need to remember when comparing a handbrake<\/a> to a foot brake: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Handbrakes are almost always mechanical <\/strong>systems that bypass the foot brake system entirely to offer an additional layer of safety. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These parking brakes or emergency brake systems can be found as handbrakes, foot pedals, or electric brakes<\/strong> (in more modern cars) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cars with rear disc brakes <\/strong>will require additional levers<\/strong> to engage the handbrake through the caliper vs. a direct lever in a drum brake. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Foot Pedal Brakes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt is also important to note that there are differences between emergency brakes<\/strong>: ones that are designed as handbrakes<\/strong> and ones that are engaged with a foot pedal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe foot pedal brakes are often found to the left of your gas pedal,<\/strong> and the foot brake is on the car floor. They operate using the same technology as the handbrake but may be preferred in varying driving situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YjDTQ2lnJz8<\/a>![\"parking](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Canva-The-view-on-street-from-the-hill-in-San-Francisco..jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen parking on a slope<\/strong>, gravity acts against the heavyweight of the car and places more pressure on the braking system. When employing the handbrake and the parking gear in an automatic vehicle will prevent accidents from occurring in the event that something happens to your primary braking system. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause the handbrake works with the rear wheels, performance vehicles will sometimes engage the handbrake for skidding or drifting the car. The easy access between the seats allows racers to make tight turns, but it does result in a decrease in speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This maneuver is not recommended for use by vehicle owners and amateur drivers, as it is very dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhen to Use a Foot Brake?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Footbrake](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Canva-Footbrake-and-accelerator-of-vehicle.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou will most often use a foot brake while driving to slow down your car or come to a complete stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anytime you want to stop the car while it is in motion, you should engage the foot brake. If you try to stop the car with the handbrake while moving, this will cause the rear wheels to lock up<\/strong>, and you could drift or lose control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- In a manual transmission<\/strong>, you will need to engage the clutch anytime you choose to brake (just as you would to move the car into another gear or press the gas pedal).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In an\u00a0automatic<\/strong>, you can press the foot brake to slow the car down. In addition to stopping the car, the foot brake can also be used to start the car in many models.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Newer vehicles<\/strong>\u00a0may use a start and stop button to turn the vehicle on. If this is the case, you will need to press down on the foot brake before the car turns on. This is an added safety feature, and it triggers the engine to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs the front wheels take a majority of the impact, the foot brake should be used if you are approaching something quickly in front of you. Do not pull the handbrake in these situations, especially if traveling at high speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary braking system will be able to stop the car in a much more controlled manner<\/a> than trying to rely solely on your auxiliary braking system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat Should You Do If Brakes Don\u2019t Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn the rare event that your brakes fail, you will want to be well-equipped with steps to take. This is a dangerous situation that can be stressful if encountered. DO NOT <\/strong>turn off the car. You need to carry on to steer. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf something is wrong with your primary braking system and may require the use of your handbrake while the vehicle is moving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHandbrakes, which can serve as emergency and parking brakes<\/strong>, are found as a single lever near the gear shifter. Handbrakes are part of auxiliary brake systems that support your foot brake in the event that it doesn\u2019t work or you need additional support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Performance vehicles almost always have a handbrake<\/strong>, while other models may design these auxiliary brakes as a foot pedal<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Handbrakes are specifically different from foot brakes and even other auxiliary braking systems because their primary job is to stop and lock the use of the back wheels, while foot brakes engage the front wheels, often through automatic braking systems and hydraulic systems in modern-day cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acting on the rear wheels with a mechanical braking system, handbrakes<\/a> are attached to a cable that runs to these wheels and operates levers that engage the brake. In back wheels, drum brakes are typically used, where the levers press the brake against the drum and therefore slow the car down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most cars will use drum brakes where the handbrake can directly attach to the rear wheels, but some have disc brakes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a handbrake is applied to a disc brake system, there are additional levers connected to the caliper and pistons on the brake to control brake pads. A corkscrew will press against the caliper, which engages the brake pads to stop the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the major points you need to remember when comparing a handbrake<\/a> to a foot brake: <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to note that there are differences between emergency brakes<\/strong>: ones that are designed as handbrakes<\/strong> and ones that are engaged with a foot pedal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The foot pedal brakes are often found to the left of your gas pedal,<\/strong> and the foot brake is on the car floor. They operate using the same technology as the handbrake but may be preferred in varying driving situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When parking on a slope<\/strong>, gravity acts against the heavyweight of the car and places more pressure on the braking system. When employing the handbrake and the parking gear in an automatic vehicle will prevent accidents from occurring in the event that something happens to your primary braking system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the handbrake works with the rear wheels, performance vehicles will sometimes engage the handbrake for skidding or drifting the car. The easy access between the seats allows racers to make tight turns, but it does result in a decrease in speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This maneuver is not recommended for use by vehicle owners and amateur drivers, as it is very dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You will most often use a foot brake while driving to slow down your car or come to a complete stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anytime you want to stop the car while it is in motion, you should engage the foot brake. If you try to stop the car with the handbrake while moving, this will cause the rear wheels to lock up<\/strong>, and you could drift or lose control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Newer vehicles<\/strong>\u00a0may use a start and stop button to turn the vehicle on. If this is the case, you will need to press down on the foot brake before the car turns on. This is an added safety feature, and it triggers the engine to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the front wheels take a majority of the impact, the foot brake should be used if you are approaching something quickly in front of you. Do not pull the handbrake in these situations, especially if traveling at high speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary braking system will be able to stop the car in a much more controlled manner<\/a> than trying to rely solely on your auxiliary braking system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the rare event that your brakes fail, you will want to be well-equipped with steps to take. This is a dangerous situation that can be stressful if encountered. DO NOT <\/strong>turn off the car. You need to carry on to steer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If something is wrong with your primary braking system and may require the use of your handbrake while the vehicle is moving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Foot Pedal Brakes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhen to Use a Foot Brake?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat Should You Do If Brakes Don\u2019t Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n