Information Handbrake - Caution !!!!

Usually it`s the other way round - 1st when facing uphill, reverse when facing down - no damage should occur
 
wilco184 said:
Hello all,

I assume it is best such that when parked facing downhill, it is best to leave the car in 1st gear as opposed to reverse so that should the car move, the engine will rotate in its normal direction? Is that correct?

Damage is likely if the engine were to rotate backwards even slightly I assume?

Thanks,

Matt.
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To be on the safe side I would recommend reverse when facing up the hill and 1st when facing down the hill.

The chances of it rolling are almost nil, but as you say spinning the engine backwards could cause damage.
At first I was going to say that it wouldn't damage anything, but when it comes to the cambelt I am pretty sure that the tensioner would be affected even slightly by turning the engine backwards and so might POSSIBLY cause a problem because of the minor shift in valve timing while it was spinning backwards, so no worth the risk.

Good thinking Matt (as usual)

Steve B
 
Thank you both. :)

I hadn't thought of it like that, Steve. I would agree though, that yes, the tensioner now being 'fed' the slack instead of compensating for it, in effect would change the valve timing. Thanks for clearing that up.

Regards,

Matt.
 
MikeMarsUK said:
... wouldn't there then be a risk of it being kick-started?
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No, the fuel system is shut off.
When you turn the ignition key off the engine is spinning but the fuel system is shut down.
So if the car is pushed or rolls in gear the fuel system is still pushed off.

Also, if your car was rolling down a hill fast enough to "bump start" it, the accident is inevitable I think, but the engine will not fire.

But out if I am on a very steep hill I always turn the steering wheel away from the straight ahead position, tgat way it would be held by the kerb and at the very worst never gain enough momentum to cause any serious damage.

But the reality is that unless you are parked on a "Mega hill" and unless your handbrake is not working or not applied properly, there is no need for excessive measures. Just apply the handbrake fully, and if you feel safer, put the car in gear and turn the wheel slightly.

Steve B
 
[h=2]As a former driving instructor, I'm amazed that the following rule of the Highway Code seems to have been almost universally forgotten.

The consideration of potential engine damage by not engaging the recommended gear is surely outweighed by the risk to life and limb of doing otherwise; not to mention the possibility of an insurer declining a claim if the driver had not taken all reasonable precautions when leaving the vehicle.
[FONT=nta, Arial, sans-serif]252[/FONT][/h]Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should:

  • park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
  • select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
  • select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill
  • use ‘park’ if your car has an automatic gearbox.
hc_rule_252_when_parking_turn_your_wheels_away_from_the_kerb_when_facing_uphill_turn_them_towards_the_kerb_when_facing_downhill.jpg
 
Jeff Sutcliffe said:
[h=2]
[FONT=nta, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT][/h]Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should:

  • park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
  • select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
  • select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill
hc_rule_252_when_parking_turn_your_wheels_away_from_the_kerb_when_facing_uphill_turn_them_towards_the_kerb_when_facing_downhill.jpg
Click to expand...

That`s what I was always told :)
 
Hi Jeff

not wishing to contradict the Highway Code but the rule about reverse when facing downhill is no longer mechanically advisable due to modern engine technology. The rule was written many years ago when cars were mechanically different and rotating an engine backwards could do no harm.
With cambelts and tensioner ther is a very small (but present) danger that rotating the engine backwards (even fir one of two rotations) MIGHT. Cause damage.
And since the ratios on 1st and reverse gears are almost identical, there is no benefit from engaging reverse when facing downhill or first when facing uphill. The other way around is equally safe and runs no risk of damage.
I agree with using first and reverse aporopriately but the advice as to which way around is actually incorrect and hopefully you can see the logic in my "argument"?

But applying the handbrake firmly, turning the wheel slightly towards the kerb and applying 1st or reverse is, of course absolutely correct and vital to follow.

steve B
 
Last edited:
I was right in thinking my handbrake on the new tdi was faulty. No catastrophes this time fortunately but very pleased I took it for some attention.

Just collected car from Aldersons having had new handbrake cables and brake shoes. Handbrake is reassuringly effective now. I'm still leaving in gear of course!

Other repairs done too so now in top condition again

Hilary
 
Hi Hilary,

May I ask what sort of price you ended up paying for the cable and shoe replacement please? My local garage were trying to charge 2 hours labour totalling over £300 inc parts and vat, seemed expensive.
 
Hi
Welcome to the forum - hope you're enjoying your A2 which must be the one we all heard about last week?

The total cost for the replacement handbrake cables x 2, handbrake shoes including 2.5 hours labour was £188 plus vat

Regards

Hilary
 
Thats good you have it sorted out---you don't want a repeat of last time. I always trust the discs on the FSI far more than the drums. cheers mike
 
I have an FSI, when i purchased the car it failed its mot on handbrake. I have never trusted it since and always engage fully and put in gear when on hills etc.
 
Hi and thank you Hilary - yes I'm enjoying the forum and talking to very nice and helpful people.
My £300 quote was in fact reasonable I suppose.

Kind regards,

Carl
 
Handbrake is fixed and working very effectively however there is another problem with it I need to solve...

The release button on the handbrake is extremely difficult to depress. When the handbrake was faulty, I thought this was due to the extreme position I was having to lock it on. Now it is intermittent, sometimes very difficult to release and does not seem to be related to the amount of force I exert on it but more to do with the position on the button. Needs slight angle to press the button. Sometimes absolutely no problem

Could the button be too loose? or any other ideas please

Thanks

Hilary
 
Birchalls Son said:
Hi Hilary,

May I ask what sort of price you ended up paying for the cable and shoe replacement please? My local garage were trying to charge 2 hours labour totalling over £300 inc parts and vat, seemed expensive.
Click to expand...

Just had the cables changed (shoes were fine) on our A2.

Had an oil / filters service at the same time. Charged £140 (mates rates).


Handbrake is fantastic now.


We've now had the A2 for just over 9 years !!
 
Been quoted to replace both rear handbrake cables I would be looking at a total price of £110.80p Apparently the cables are a special order.

Sound about right anyone :confused:
 
YorkshireHill said:
Handbrake is fixed and working very effectively however there is another problem with it I need to solve...

The release button on the handbrake is extremely difficult to depress. When the handbrake was faulty, I thought this was due to the extreme position I was having to lock it on. Now it is intermittent, sometimes very difficult to release and does not seem to be related to the amount of force I exert on it but more to do with the position on the button. Needs slight angle to press the button. Sometimes absolutely no problem

Could the button be too loose? or any other ideas please

Thanks

Hilary
Click to expand...


Thank you Timmus for solving this problem

Further adjustment so that the handbrake works effectively on the first click has cured the problem of the faulty release button

I know I didn't sound very convinced on Sunday - getting used to the different feel - but now it's Brilliant

And my 'handbrake neurosis' is disappearing :)

Greatly appreciated

Hilary
 
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