Originally posted by: Sukhoi
Uh KarenMarie, think about this for a minute. Your handbrake controls the rear brakes. Your foot brake controls all four wheels. Now if that isn't enough, think of what happens when you get rear ended. Likely the rear of the car would get lifted up atleast somewhat. Hence there will be minimal frictional forces provided by the rear tires, and your handbrake isn't going to do a damn thing and your front wheels won't have any braking force either because you didn't have the foot brake depressed.
Ok... I know what I was taught, and I understand what was said here... so I decided to look a little bit further...
I got in touch with VeggieFrog's boyfriend... he got his license a year ago... he would remember... he agreed with me 100%... that is what is taught in the uk... and if you dont do that, they will fail you.. that is what is on the BSM site, that is what his instructor taught him, that is what I learned... so...
Then I read Sukhoi's post... And I decided to ask an expert... So, I did... and my b/f (mechanic for years... owner operator for years... heavy equip mechanic for years) said that Sukhoi is mostly correct... the handbrake is for the rear wheels... but the front breaks should be for the whole car.... And I explained the scenerio Sukhoi did above, about the car lifting if rear ended, and their being useless... and he agreed... depending on the force of the hit. He said that if you are paying attention to driving, instead of playing air guitar, talking on the phone, eating lunch, doing your hair and drinking coffee... you should be able to control the car by just the foot brake while in neutral. He said the BSM is a bunch of hooey if that is what they are insisting on.
Then he went of on this whole thing about proportional valves, master cylinders and a whole bunch more, until a glaze came over my eyes and I realized that I had no clue what he was talking about, but he sure is attractive while he rambles... but that another story...
cliffnotes:
I was misinformed and wrong and wanted to own up to it.
Thanks is all.