Can you use a push button handbrake as an emergency brake?

Can you use a push button handbrake as an emergency brake?

Author
Discussion

IAmTheWalrus

Original Poster:

1,049 posts

51 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
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As above, just wondering about my Volvo 2010 S80, thanks in advance.

Scrump

22,938 posts

165 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
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Yes

mickyh7

2,347 posts

93 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
Push or pull the button/lever for 2-4 seconds.
Then BOOM Handbrake locks on.
Audi manual says for Emergency only!
yikes

IAmTheWalrus

Original Poster:

1,049 posts

51 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
mickyh7 said:
Push or pull the button/lever for 2-4 seconds.
Then BOOM Handbrake locks on.
Audi manual says for Emergency only!
yikes
It takes seconds for it to apply anyway? I was aware it was for emerggancy only, I just considered it as my last car had issues and it failed the mot as they said it was too tight.

mickyh7

2,347 posts

93 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
IAmTheWalrus said:
It takes seconds for it to apply anyway? I was aware it was for emerggancy only, I just considered it as my last car had issues and it failed the mot as they said it was too tight.
What,exactly was too tight?
The Handbrake, the button or something else?
It's designed to take a few seconds, just in case you touched it by accident at 90 miles an hour!

IAmTheWalrus

Original Poster:

1,049 posts

51 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
mickyh7 said:
IAmTheWalrus said:
It takes seconds for it to apply anyway? I was aware it was for emerggancy only, I just considered it as my last car had issues and it failed the mot as they said it was too tight.
What,exactly was too tight?
The Handbrake, the button or something else?
It's designed to take a few seconds, just in case you touched it by accident at 90 miles an hour!
The handbrake on the BMW was difficult to pull up and wa too tight when the brake was being applied. They said this was failing the MOT because you needed to have some variable in its strength to help brake in a more controlled manner. Anyway, if the push button brake takes seconds to apply, are you saying I can quickly pull it back to open it up again? Also, if it takes seconds to apply, that does not sound great in an emergency however better than nothing.

weeboot

1,063 posts

106 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
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IAmTheWalrus said:
The handbrake on the BMW was difficult to pull up and wa too tight when the brake was being applied. They said this was failing the MOT because you needed to have some variable in its strength to help brake in a more controlled manner. Anyway, if the push button brake takes seconds to apply, are you saying I can quickly pull it back to open it up again? Also, if it takes seconds to apply, that does not sound great in an emergency however better than nothing.
What are you on about?!

mickyh7

2,347 posts

93 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
weeboot said:
What are you on about?!
This, exactly!

IAmTheWalrus

Original Poster:

1,049 posts

51 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
quotequote all
mickyh7 said:
weeboot said:
What are you on about?!
This, exactly!
OK from the beginning, I had a BMW which a normal handbrake, one you pull up until it clicks.. After it went for a brake service in one garage it failed in another garage because the handbrake was too tight to pull up, it took a lot of effort to pull it up. They said this was a MOT failure. Give that was an issue for that car I wondered out of curiosity if the push button brake on the Volvo could be used in emergency braking because obviously with a button you cannot feel how much grip is being applied.

Monkeylegend

27,207 posts

238 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
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IAmTheWalrus said:
OK from the beginning, I had a BMW which a normal handbrake, one you pull up until it clicks.. After it went for a brake service in one garage it failed in another garage because the handbrake was too tight to pull up, it took a lot of effort to pull it up. They said this was a MOT failure. Give that was an issue for that car I wondered out of curiosity if the push button brake on the Volvo could be used in emergency braking because obviously with a button you cannot feel how much grip is being applied.
You got your answer first reply.

If not sure RTFM smile

Davie

5,022 posts

222 months

Sunday 9th January 2022
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It also doesn't take seconds, push the button and calipers engage within a second. As for using it in an emergency, I think in an emergency the last thing on my mind would be to reach for the button. MOT wise, they seem remarkably efficient systems assuming the hardware is in good order and there's no electronic based faults or shagged rear calipers. It's nothing like the BMW... in fact I'd probably accept the two cars are poles apart and stop comparing the two. It's like comparing Jo Brand to Charlize Theron.

IAmTheWalrus

Original Poster:

1,049 posts

51 months

Monday 10th January 2022
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Davie said:
It also doesn't take seconds, push the button and calipers engage within a second. As for using it in an emergency, I think in an emergency the last thing on my mind would be to reach for the button.
It should be if your main brakes failed..