Uses of the Emergency Brake or Hand Brake
Emergency brakes are a backup breaking system installed in motor vehicles designed to work even when there is total breakage failure. They are also known as hand-brakes or parking breaks, and can be astick-lever, center-lever or pedal. Emergency brakes are so important that there arestate and federal lawsrequiring them to be put in vehicles. Emergency brakes are not powered by the same hydraulic systems that operate normal service brakes that are used to slow and stop vehicles. Instead, they are powered by steel cables attached to the emergency brake that run to the wheels of the car depending on what type of brake one has.Drum Brakesoperate by stopping the back wheels, and thus the cables run to the rear brakes of the car, bypassing the hydraulic system, and tighten based on how much force is applied.
When the cables tighten, they pull the brake shoes into contact with the drum of the brake bringing the car to a stop.Disc Brakeson the other hand use a screw mechanism that pushes a piston into contact with the brake pads, forcing the pads to grip the brake rotor. Emergency brakes can also be electric. Instead of a pedal or stick, an electric signal is sent to a motor by pressing a button on the dashboard. This causes the motor to pull the brake cable, engaging the emergency brakes.
Nowadays, modern braking systems have many measures and fail-safes geared at ensuring a parking-related emergency can be alleviated, likelow-fluid sensors, however, the emergency brake, as its name implies, is still very important for emergencies, but may have a few other uses as well.
The first and most common usage of emergency brakes is in parking, leading to the widespread namesake “parking brake” being ascribed to it. In manual transmission (stick-shift) cars especially, the emergency brake is used regularly for parking, as it prevents the car from rolling away on its own. This is a very effective practice, though it is not used as much by drivers of automatic vehicles. However, due to the fact that the brake cables of the emergency brake may degrade if not used often, it is recommendedthat all drivers engage in this practice to keep the cable in order, as well as the periodic checking of the cables to ensure they are in working order.
Secondly, the emergency brake can also be used by manual drivers to help prevent rolling back when parked or stopped during traffic on a hill or incline. This is done simply by activating the brake (pulling the lever, etc) when stopped, then releasing it as you begin to move. This may be difficult, and it must be noted that the emergency brake must always be disabled when driving, as driving with the emergency brake on can cause damage to the emergency brake and lead to heavy costs for repair, or, at the worst, a failure of the emergency brake when you need it the most- during and emergency. Luckily there is often an indicator that warns when the emergency brake is on, so this may be used as a guide.
The next way an emergency brake can be used is (as the name implies) as an emergency measure. This is only to be done when all other braking options have been exhausted (i.e., total brake failure) as it is dangerous and can cause accidents. This is because pulling the break lever while driving can cause the vehicle to skid, fishtail and spin completely out of your control. This can lead to serious injury and accidents, and as such is not to be done lightly. This maneuver is seen being done often by race-car drivers in movies and TV shows, as well as by professional drivers in real life and stunt men, but for the average driver it can spell disaster. Instead, if the driver has experienced total brake failure, they should gradually and slowly activate the brake while trying to maintain control. Rapidly activating the lever can lead to loss of control, so a steady activation is key. This can help the driver steady the vehicle and bring it to an easy halt.
Finally, there is one last usage of the emergency brake though it is dangerous and is not recommended for anyone outside of the most experienced and skilful drivers. As was stated above, race-car drivers and stunt-drivers often use the handbrake to domaneuverssuch as doughnuts, as well asnegotiate curves through driftingduring high speed races or chase sequences in movies. These stylish skidding maneuvers can be done for sport or to quickly and easily maneuver a car without losing too much momentum. However, once again these are dangerous methods and not to be taken lightly or used by the inexperienced due to the fact that something can easily go wrong, as well as the very real and high risk of damaging the emergency brake mechanism.
Driving can be a dangerous task with many unforeseen disasters waiting to happen. luckily, fail-safes such as the emergency brake come in handy as a useful means to avoid trouble, as well as improve a drivers control over their vehicle. Though its use can be dangerous, and lack of use even more dangerous, there is no denying that the emergency brake is an essential and useful tool for every driver to become accustomed with, whether driving automatic, or manual vehicles.
