Handbrake or not with MT

[AKnowles]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

I’m just curious what my friends over here do. Some folks have questioned that it is an issue of coordination, though I think it is a learned preference.

I only use the hand brake when parking. Period. Anyone that requires a hand brake to get started on a hill should not drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. Or should just buy a Subaru or similar vehicle that has the ability to prevent roll back on an incline.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if someone can't drive a stick properly then they have no business in a car with one either.

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

I only use the hand brake when parking. Period. Anyone that requires a hand brake to get started on a hill should not drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. Or should just buy a Subaru or similar vehicle that has the ability to prevent roll back on an incline.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if someone can't drive a stick properly then they have no business in a car with one either.

The argument is these are skilled drivers and some even track their cars but they learned the handbrake method. The discussion started because the new 981 MT has a hill hold feature and some folks really don't like it and I can see why. Mine is a PDK so no worry there, on my 986 MT I never use handbrake.

I personally think Porsche made a mistake with this feature on MT.

[recycledsixtie]

If you are starting from a stop on a steep hill say at a traffic light and you have a car behind you I see nothing wrong with a combination use of handbrake, clutch and gas pedal. Allowing the car to roll back is not an option. I do whatever it takes to drive away smoothly.

[jb92563]

I have never had to use the handbrake for this purpose but there's no reason not to if the circumstances call for it.

or

You could get out of your car and ask the person behind you to back up 5' since your car is a manual and may roll back a few feet on a steep hill.

The handbrake also came in handy during the performance driving school to induce the car to spin out in a tight curve on soapy wet pavement.

Later on I learned how to spin the car on dry pavement without using the hand brake

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by jb92563

You could get out of your car and ask the person behind you to back up 5' since your car is a manual and may roll back a few feet on a steep hill.

But then you would have to use the handbrake LOL...or well you could turn the car off and just leave it in 1st

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

I only use the hand brake when parking. Period. Anyone that requires a hand brake to get started on a hill should not drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. Or should just buy a Subaru or similar vehicle that has the ability to prevent roll back on an incline.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if someone can't drive a stick properly then they have no business in a car with one either.

Really? I've got close to a quarter of a million miles driven on a manual. I use my handbrake almost every day when starting up from a stop on a 22% grade near my house.

It's not unusual for a person behind me to stop entirely too close, then inch up with their automatic. I sometimes intentionally allow the car to drift backwards to serve notice not to come any closer.

For reference, the hill is steep enough that it's difficult to even walk up.



/

[Jedi]

UNKIKE AKnowles, I generally wait to have the vehicle parked before setting the parking brake, where he says he uses it while parking, must be a hand brake turn or something to that effect. I know when I was younger and drove semis for a living you were instructed to use the trailer brake when on a hill to prevent rollback. It is just common sense to release the brakes whether it be a hand brake or a trailer brake while your feet are on the clutch and throttle. This is the way I have always done it and do not have a problem doing it in my Boxster, if and when I have premature clutch failure I'll be the first to let the forum know.

[kk2002s]

I learned to drive on a manual and have had manual cars since (30+ years)
I kinda of feel stupid that I never even thought the handbrake would be used for that reason. I think it was an episode of Top Gear where I saw them do that. Needless to say I have always just done the hill thing with a quick off the brake on the throttle, clutch release.
I have tried the Handbrake/hill a couple of times since I got the P-car.
I have to teach myself to do it right. I'm pretty bad at coordinating it all now,
I find I use a lot more throttle and slower clutch release using the handbrake.
That translates to more wear.
I think it should be part of a drivers skill inventory but you have to practice.

[EssexPorsche]

All those 'non handbrake users' would fail your driving test in the UK.
Its mandatory!

Things have changed a little since i passed. When i started driving, the car had to be in neutral and hadbrake applied in any stationary situation including traffic and stoplight.

The reason is, if someone rear ends the queue, everyone will hit everyone.
The impact will jar your feet off the pedals, the car will lunge and stall. From there on in its like dominos. 10 cars with damage instead ofr maybe 3.
Multiple claims, multiple liabilities.
Also at a stoplight...if the lead car lurches forward due to rear end collision, pedestrians could get hurt.

Secondly holding a car on the cluch WILL dispose of your clutch in a much shorter time frame.

Letting an auto hold itself WLL destroy the torque convertor (or equivalent) in a much shorter time frame.

Finally @2003s, i sensed some humour in your comment - as i have to say if you rolled back into my car...for whatever reason.... I'd be rolling up on you! ya dig.

The skill is knowing when to use it and when not, combining all levels of control and coordination to provide the best driving experience whilst attempting to mitigate damage to others (cars and people) and prolonge the car's components.

I wonder if THStone had his parking brake applied when his car was rear ended!?