How Do Electronic Handbrakes Work?

Electric / electronic handbrakes are used in most modern cars, and they make applying the handbrake much easier than if it were manual. We’ve covered what they are, how they work, the pros and cons, and any differences from manual handbrakes.

🚗 What are electronic handbrakes?

🚗 How do they work?

🚗 Pros And Cons Of Electronic Handbrakes

🚗 Electronic Handbrakes Vs Manual Handbrakes

🚗 Signing Off

🚗 FAQs

What Are Electronic Handbrakes?

An electronic handbrake takes away the physical graft of applying a handbrake. Gone are the days of clunky handbrakes that are both hard to apply and release; now you can secure your car at the touch of a button. Most electronic handbrakes will appear as a button near your steering wheel, but they could also sit in the middle of your car as a twisting button. Whichever way it’s set up, electronic handbrakes have been a great innovation in the driving experience. We’ve covered what they are, but how do they work?

How Do They Work?

The actual mechanics behind electronic and manual handbrakes isn’t too different. An electronic handbrake uses electric motors to pull a lever that locks the rear wheels, helping keep the car stationary.

Pros And Cons Of Electric Handbrakes

The pros of electronic handbrakes:

• No physical effort needed to secure the car.
• Most electronic handbrakes will give you a second or two to apply pressure and get the car moving. This can be especially important on a steep hill.
• Free up space in the middle of your car. No clunky handbrake means you could have a nice compartment or area to store your phone and keys. Many modern vehicles supply small fridges in this central area, a great option for long drives and keeping your passengers hydrated.

The cons of electronic handbrakes:

• If you’ve recently made the switch from manual to electronic handbrakes, you might find the initial few drives tricky.
• These handbrakes rely on a power supply, which can be an issue if the battery goes flat. In some cases, your car could be stuck in a stationary mode until the battery is recharged.
• Sometimes the electronic handbrake lever can be slightly clunky or not activate, but this is rare.

Electronic Handbrakes Vs Manual Handbrakes

Although both achieve the same result, there are some clear differences between automatic and manual handbrakes.

• Electronic handbrakes are much smaller, take up less room, and appear in a button format. Manual handbrakes are large, clunky, and require physical movement to activate.
• Manual handbrakes require you to lift to move cables and activate brake pads. An electronic handbrake uses power to lift the cables.
• Manual handbrakes are much cheaper to repair, as they are less complex in design.

Signing Off

Electronic handbrakes are efficient and take the physical effort out of securing your car. This advanced tech isn’t without its flaws though; repairing it can be super tricky and more expensive than a manual issue.

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Electronic Handbrake FAQs