So I forgot to put down my handbrakes when I started driving.

But odd thing is, the car was still moving even though I didn't step on the pedal. So I just drove out my drive way and probably drove for about a minute at a speed of maybe 20 - 25 MPH until I realize that my handbrake light is on. Crap.

Anything to worry about?

 

I've done that also once or twice, but it's not that I forgot. I would put it down but the BRAKE light would still be on, so I guess I didnt push it down all the way o_O

 

not much. These handbrakes are set pretty weak out of the factory. So unless yours handbrake was completly up, it shouldn't be much of a problem

 

What would happen if you had the handbrake all the way up and then stepped on the gas pedal?

 

wear out brakes and put some extra stress on your car.

Prolly wouldnt mess anything up to bad though.

 

u would do the most wicked burn-out of all time

 

yeh i think that would screw up the brakes pretty fast. just be careful and dont push the limit of yor brakes. theres a chance your car prolly wont stop as fast and be as reliable as it was....but since it was only a miute goin 25, u should be ok

 

At that speed and for that amount of time, you should be OK.

I once drove a deuce and half (2 1/2 ton truck) in the Army 2 hours at 55mph with the hand brake on.

Couldn't figure what the burning smell was. Needless to say, I did cause damage.

Gee, I forgot to report it when I turned the truck in to the motor pool.

 

your alrite man the parking brake and stoping break are two diffrent systems so if u messs one up u still got the uther

 

just take it in to the dealership and have them tighten the handbrake under warranty. Or you can do it yourself, just remove the center console and tighten the nuts for the cable, quick fix. I had to do it to my xB because the idiot porters at the dealership love to rip up on the handle when the park the cars, I guess it makes them look cool or something.

If your brake light stays on after you put the cable all the way down, either the switch that touches the end of the handle needs to be adjusted or you need to check your brake fluid reservoir. There are sensors that tell if you have a leak in the system and it will keep the brake light on, it happens alot with manual transmissions because the clutch is constantly adjusting and when the clutch wears away, the fluid takes up the slack in the system, this extra slack behind the fluid is what you see inside the reservoir. just fill up your brake reservoir to the fill line and make sure the cap is tight, but dont crank down on it to crack the cap.

Sorry, had to go into a little bit of detail. I have taken a few classes on brakes and it was mighty interesting.

have you ever seen a mini truck with fast bags, how fast it goes up? most of the time they are running around 200 to 250 psi. most hydraulic systems, such as the brake system are running at about 2500 psi. if the system is leaking, the whole system won't work the best, so the only reason the light would be on is low brake fluid level or loose cap, check it out.

 

leme guess...yall are girls??

na, but seriously, I dont know what harm if any that does to the car...it may shorten the life of the Proportion Valve.

...Oh ya....its my Birthday Biotch!!!

 

haha i've done that twice. its no big deal, especially if it was almost all the way down. kind of annoying though

 

nothing to worry about. the threshold for the indicator is on the first click of the brake handle. at that position the rear brakes are not even engaged. The factory sets the e-brake to have a tight grip on the rotor at 9 clicks. your ok.

 

You would turn instantly stupid.

 

My girlfriend does this all the time.

Of course, she's driving a '96 Mustang so it's not a big deal.

 

except the tc has its own brake for the e-brake, not rear rotors. Read it in the faq.

 

nuts, i gotta get mine adjusted, mine clamps at about 11 clicks. i've never even abused it.

 

I want mine to clamp at like 7 or 8. Will that be possible?
My Honda clamps at 6, and I love that with a 5 speed.

 

Unless you're driving a 5sp or parking down/up hill, I was told that you don't need to use the handbrakes.

 

no worries