Do you use your handbrake when driving?

[mik]

Provoked by the discussion about leaving your car in gear when parked, and Rev's brick-washing images.

So my early driving years were in cars where the handbrake systems consisted primarily of ferrous oxide, and every MOT was approached with much fear.

This taught me not to rely on the handbrake only for parking, but I also had to learn quickly how to juggle all 3 pedals to do hill-starts without using it.

I've never broken the habit - I hardly ever use the handbrake in normal driving.

[Rich B]

Not much - my cars have a hill hold mechanism on them anyway, so it’s not even needed on hill starts (though even without that, it would tKe quite a hill to actually need the handbrake too if you just be quick).

[ZedLeg]

For big skidz obvs.

Other than that not much.

[drcarlos]

This taught me not to rely on the handbrake only for parking, but I also had to learn quickly how to juggle all 3 pedals to do hill-starts without using it.

This is me unless I have the caravan on a large hill then I really have to think about it as I hardly ever do a handbrake hill start. I might start doing it more as the uprated clutch in the Scooby is a little harder to use than a standard one.

[DeskJockey]

The hill start feature in the Galaxy isn't the most reliable, so I use the handbrake if it is a longer wait.

[speedingfine]

Can't reach it in the Seven, foot operated in the Merc so no on both of mine. I do in the Mazda though.

[nuttinnew]

I use it quite a bit, e.g. at traffic lights.

[GG.]

Danny Ric certainly does - this was a contender for funniest run up the hill at Goodwood this year

[Swervin_Mervin]

Other than for parking, nope. Auto though, with hill hold assist or whatever it's called (I thought it was simply sticky brakes for years ) If I don't want to sit with my foot on the brake I'll pop it in Park.

Superb has the VAG electronic parking brake, and auto-parking brake so it need never be touched.

[Matty]

I use it quite a bit, e.g. at traffic lights.

Yep. CBA with sitting with my foot on the brake, so on it goes. I'm not wealthy enough to have fancy cars with auto handbrakes and hill holds.

[simon_g]

Golf has auto-hold so when you’re at a stop you don’t even need a foot on the brake. Can switch it off so you get auto “creep” if needed though. I activate the proper (electronic) handbrake if waiting for more than a few seconds though so the brakelights go off and it’s not dazzling the person behind.

Stepwagon has a foot-operated “handbrake”, don’t use it except for parking up.

[JLv3.0]

I use it quite a bit, e.g. at traffic lights.

Yep. CBA with sitting with my foot on the brake, so on it goes. I'm not wealthy enough to have fancy cars with auto handbrakes and hill holds.

Likewise.

[Jimmy Choo]

I use it quite a bit, e.g. at traffic lights.

Yep. CBA with sitting with my foot on the brake, so on it goes. I'm not wealthy enough to have fancy cars with auto handbrakes and hill holds.

Likewise.

Same.

[Mito Man]

Nope. Enjoy the dazzle suckers.

[Broccers]

The golf uses it, I dont

[Swervin_Mervin]

I use it quite a bit, e.g. at traffic lights.

Yep. CBA with sitting with my foot on the brake, so on it goes. I'm not wealthy enough to have fancy cars with auto handbrakes and hill holds.

<Checks pockets and car keys> Nope, still skint and driving a 13yo, 121k miles 3-series estate...

[16vCento]

Nope, not when P does the job fine.

[V8Granite]

All the time, especially when parked up in car parks etc.

Dave!

[McSwede]

I use it when sat at the traffic lights so I'm not on the brake all the time.

[NotoriousREV]

The golf uses it, I dont

This. I hadn’t even thought about using a handbrake for about 2 years.