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Earlier today, I stopped a little too far from an entrance I meant to use. I had to reverse to get back to it.

I unconsciously pulled the handbrake up when I stopped (I think it is habit) so when I put the car in reverse, it refused to move.

The road surface was very uneven so I thought the car just needed some coaxing to get moving. For this reason I depressed the accelerator quite far because the car was having an issue moving. I had not realised that the handbrake was up at this point.

My friend in the passenger seat realised and alerted me before he put the handbrake down.

I am very worried that I may have damaged the car in some way.

Since this incident, it seems to be moving and stopping as normal. At first it made a bit of a weird rubbing sound when I stepped on the brake afterwards but I drove a further 20-25km since then and it has given me no indication of trouble.

Is my concern and worry necessary?

MoKa
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2 Answers2

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You are not likely to have caused any damage in this situation.

If you had driven 25 or 30 km with the handbrake on then yes there would be damage.

Solar Mike
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It depends... But a few kilometers might be enough to vitrify your brake-lining nonetheless. Friction can be so powerful to use it for welding, if you might know.

I made a similar stupid mistake. Leaving a ferry from Germany to Denmark, I forgot to release the handbrake of my old fully stuffed and packed Volvo V40. Because of the load, I did not perceive that the acceleration rate was unusual, because it felt already like driving a loaded truck.

After 10-15 km at 100 km/h the Volvo started to smell a bit, like someone burning rubber. Then it grew a little louder like the mentioned rubbing sound of the OP. I suddenly saw the red little light in the controls... --> Parking Brake not released. OMG. Stopping asap and telling the family not to blow the life-jackets, blow the exit doors and use the storm whistle, I looked at the back wheels and smelt the bad fumes of stupidity. I was lucky the car did not catch flames, I thought.

Some 800 € later and laughter of my mechanic, it was okay then. It just damaged the rotor and the brake lining.

Your car will be okay. But perhaps you should not rely on your parking brake. Perhaps let your mechanic have a closer look. Because you yourself might be in danger, because it could pin you or someone on something like a fence or your garage, leaving one unable to breathe or roll over a cute little kitten (or dog, or your child, insert your dearest person here).

Semo
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