E-Brake

spanna2000 · 04-04-2006, 06:17 AM

I'm intrigued by the term "Emergency Brake". Here in the Uk it's the hand brake.

Under what circumstances would the E-brake be used in an emergency? I know that it will help lock the rear wheels and possibly then help spin the car around and turn the some of the forward momentum into turning momentum. This hand brake turn would probably stop the car a heck of a lot quicker but you'd be hard pressed to keep control unless you're a racing driver. Do you call these e-brake turns? I guess cars with electronic e-brakes can no longer do this.

Does Emergency apply to - if the gears in park setting fails then at least the car won't roll away.

kickpoint · 04-04-2006, 06:28 AM

My guess is that it originates from the need to have a seperate ruduntant breaking system, in the event that the primary fails. So that when trying to stop, if depressing hte pedel does not work, you have an alternative emergency only method of breaking safely. The fact that is can be used to induce a sharp turn or spin is a side effect. Not all cars have a hand emergency break. Many GM vehicles still use a foot pedel to activate the emergency break. In fact, most trucks are set-up like this. If a truck in the UK has a foot pedal and not a handle for this function, what would you call it?

spanna2000 · 04-04-2006, 06:59 AM

I checked with a trucker friend - he calls it the handbrake and its usually on the dashboard operated by hand. European trucks of course.

Some Mercs, Rolls and I think Citroen have the foot operated brake - in which case I have always called it the parking brake. Is a major PIA on manual cars on steep hills because you have clutch control going on with your feet to hold you on the incline and then need to take your foot off the gas to release the parking brake.

04-04-2006, 06:17 AM	#1
spanna2000 Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 330D M Auto Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: BHX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport I ... [0.00]	E-Brake I'm intrigued by the term "Emergency Brake". Here in the Uk it's the hand brake. Under what circumstances would the E-brake be used in an emergency? I know that it will help lock the rear wheels and possibly then help spin the car around and turn the some of the forward momentum into turning momentum. This hand brake turn would probably stop the car a heck of a lot quicker but you'd be hard pressed to keep control unless you're a racing driver. Do you call these e-brake turns? I guess cars with electronic e-brakes can no longer do this. Does Emergency apply to - if the gears in park setting fails then at least the car won't roll away.
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04-04-2006, 06:28 AM	#2
kickpoint Enlisted Member 0 Rep 42 Posts Drives: Jet Black 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	My guess is that it originates from the need to have a seperate ruduntant breaking system, in the event that the primary fails. So that when trying to stop, if depressing hte pedel does not work, you have an alternative emergency only method of breaking safely. The fact that is can be used to induce a sharp turn or spin is a side effect. Not all cars have a hand emergency break. Many GM vehicles still use a foot pedel to activate the emergency break. In fact, most trucks are set-up like this. If a truck in the UK has a foot pedal and not a handle for this function, what would you call it?
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04-04-2006, 06:59 AM	#3
spanna2000 Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 330D M Auto Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: BHX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport I ... [0.00]	I checked with a trucker friend - he calls it the handbrake and its usually on the dashboard operated by hand. European trucks of course. Some Mercs, Rolls and I think Citroen have the foot operated brake - in which case I have always called it the parking brake. Is a major PIA on manual cars on steep hills because you have clutch control going on with your feet to hold you on the incline and then need to take your foot off the gas to release the parking brake.
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