Is it possible to release the hand brake from outside the car?

Stig · 14th September 2007, 15:18

Hi Guys,
Is it possible to release the handbrake from outside the car.

One of my friends car was parked in front of another car. The owner of the other car release the handbrake of the car from outside (somewhere from under the car) and moved the car. Is this possible?

kumar2007 · 14th September 2007, 15:35

Maybe possible but surely the car would be in gear too?

simply_sunny001 · 14th September 2007, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

Hi Guys,
Is it possible to release the handbrake from outside the car.

One of my friends car was parked in front of another car. The owner of the other car release the handbrake of the car from outside (somewhere from under the car) and moved the car. Is this possible?

u dint ask the guy who did that?

deepaktpatil · 14th September 2007, 15:48

Yes, this is quiet possible, dont know how. Otherwise how will they tow away cars without waiting for owner to arrive.

hrishig · 14th September 2007, 15:51

My question will be

Does the hand break jams all the four wheels or just the front wheels?

If it is only front wheels then I guess it is possible.

Policewala tow away the cars parked in no parking zone even if hand break is applied.

Just my 2 cents..

creatza555 · 14th September 2007, 15:52

Yeah, good question!

speedmiester · 14th September 2007, 16:02

Actually the hand brake is used on only the rear wheels. Yes it is possible to disable the hand brake from outside. But i am not sure how

panky12345 · 14th September 2007, 16:11

nah, handbrake applies to front wheels only. Have you seen any policeman disengaging hand break first and then proceed to towing? They simply lift the car and woah!!....gone!

doomsday · 14th September 2007, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrishig

My question will be

Does the hand break jams all the four wheels or just the front wheels?

If it is only front wheels then I guess it is possible.

Policewala tow away the cars parked in no parking zone even if hand break is applied.

Just my 2 cents..

The handbrake usually locks the rear wheels. At least on most Indian cars which I have driven. Otherwise one can never execute 180s.

I am also curious to know how the handbrake can be disabled from outside. Since the handbrake uses cable operation; it might be possible by detaching/cutting some cable under the vehicle. Experts please enlighten us.

dadu · 14th September 2007, 16:20

First of all handbrake is applied only onthe rear wheels, no debate on that.

Secondly, since its a mechanical action using cable to apply pressure the only way to release it from outside is to cut the cable or somehow loosen it.

The car can be moved forward slowly even with gear and handbrake by pushing from behind (2-3 ppl) using rocking action, it takes time but can be moved away few meter's like that.

Lukeskywalker · 14th September 2007, 16:22

Had asked my mechanic about this a long while ago while I had a Sumo. He showed me the adjuster of the handbrake cable underneath the car and on loosening it completely the cable goes slack hence disabling the brake, this is what cops do whle towing.
Handbrakes lock only rear brakes and not the front ones so when your car is being towed away even if it is in gear they raise the front so the rear wheels are freewheeling.
Am no expert but hope this answers some of the questions.

planet_rocker · 14th September 2007, 16:33

a bit offtopic:
the best way to know whether the hand brake is applied on the front wheels or rear wheels -> drive the car normally at 10-20kph in an empty stretch and while taking a small turn yank the hand brake (without applying the brakes) - you will know whether the brake is applied on the front or rear wheels - on a serious note -> please dont try this method.

the hand brake is applied on the rear wheels. if the hand brake is fully applied it will be a bit difficult to move the vehicle. IMO it is possible to loosen the cable.

directinjection · 14th September 2007, 16:33

If a car can be driven with the hand brake still engaged, why can't it be towed?

planet_rocker · 14th September 2007, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by directinjection

If a car can be driven with the hand brake still engaged, why can't it be towed?

but then you will be straining the engine & toasting the rear brakes.?

(well if one is drivng the car with the handbrakes applied)

gd1418 · 14th September 2007, 16:52

Hand break works only on the rear wheels....

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrishig

My question will be

Does the hand break jams all the four wheels or just the front wheels?

If it is only front wheels then I guess it is possible.

Policewala tow away the cars parked in no parking zone even if hand break is applied.

Just my 2 cents..

14th September 2007, 15:18	#1
Stig BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 27 Thanked: 0 Times	Is it possible to release the hand brake from outside the car? Hi Guys, Is it possible to release the handbrake from outside the car. One of my friends car was parked in front of another car. The owner of the other car release the handbrake of the car from outside (somewhere from under the car) and moved the car. Is this possible?
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 15:35	#2
kumar2007 BANNED Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 213 Thanked: 34 Times	Maybe possible but surely the car would be in gear too?
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 15:48	#4
deepaktpatil BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: KA 05, MH 10 Posts: 303 Thanked: 128 Times	Yes, this is quiet possible, dont know how. Otherwise how will they tow away cars without waiting for owner to arrive.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 15:51	#5
hrishig BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 466 Thanked: 180 Times	My question will be Does the hand break jams all the four wheels or just the front wheels? If it is only front wheels then I guess it is possible. Policewala tow away the cars parked in no parking zone even if hand break is applied. Just my 2 cents..
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 15:52	#6
creatza555 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bucharest Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Yeah, good question!
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:02	#7
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,387 Thanked: 6,631 Times	Actually the hand brake is used on only the rear wheels. Yes it is possible to disable the hand brake from outside. But i am not sure how
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:11	#8
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	nah, handbrake applies to front wheels only. Have you seen any policeman disengaging hand break first and then proceed to towing? They simply lift the car and woah!!....gone!
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:20	#10
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	First of all handbrake is applied only onthe rear wheels, no debate on that. Secondly, since its a mechanical action using cable to apply pressure the only way to release it from outside is to cut the cable or somehow loosen it. The car can be moved forward slowly even with gear and handbrake by pushing from behind (2-3 ppl) using rocking action, it takes time but can be moved away few meter's like that.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:22	#11
Lukeskywalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,397 Thanked: 1,243 Times View My Garage	Had asked my mechanic about this a long while ago while I had a Sumo. He showed me the adjuster of the handbrake cable underneath the car and on loosening it completely the cable goes slack hence disabling the brake, this is what cops do whle towing. Handbrakes lock only rear brakes and not the front ones so when your car is being towed away even if it is in gear they raise the front so the rear wheels are freewheeling. Am no expert but hope this answers some of the questions.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:33	#12
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	a bit offtopic: the best way to know whether the hand brake is applied on the front wheels or rear wheels -> drive the car normally at 10-20kph in an empty stretch and while taking a small turn yank the hand brake (without applying the brakes) - you will know whether the brake is applied on the front or rear wheels - on a serious note -> please dont try this method. the hand brake is applied on the rear wheels. if the hand brake is fully applied it will be a bit difficult to move the vehicle. IMO it is possible to loosen the cable. Last edited by planet_rocker : 14th September 2007 at 16:34.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:33	#13
directinjection Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 1,705 Thanked: 785 Times	If a car can be driven with the hand brake still engaged, why can't it be towed?
	() Thanks