What is function of hand brake or parking brake in car?

Parking brake is also called hand brake, emergency brake or e-brake used to keep the vehicle standing mostly when it is parked. It is frequently used to prevent a vehicle from rolling back when the driver needs both feet to operate the clutch and accelerator.

The parking brake is made up of a series of steel cables that run from the rear brakes to a pedal or lever by the seat of the driver. When the driver initiates the brake, the cables pull rigid, carrying the brake pads into contact with the surface of the brake and stopping the car or preventing it from moving. Because the cables are attached to a ratcheting lever or pedal, when the driver removes the hand or foot used to activate the brake, it will still hold. In order to remove the brake, the driver needs to press a release button on hand brake and lower the lever.

Although, this brake is attached to the regular brakes of the car but it is independent of the hydraulic braking system connected to the brake pedal. In an emergency situation where the hydraulic brakes fail, the driver may still be able to stop the car using the emergency brake. It is recommended that a driver downshift before applying the emergency brake, as this will slow the car significantly, and reduce the grabbing feeling that accompanies high speed use of the emergency brake. In addition to being more comfortable for driver and passengers, this is also a safety measure, as if the car is traveling at a high rate of speed, it can fishtail or spin out when the emergency brake is applied.

When parking a car, it is important to set the parking brake, so that if the car slips into gear, it will not roll. In addition, drivers who are parking on a hill facing downhill should turn their wheels toward the curb or side of the road, so that if the brake slips, the car will roll off the road, rather than into it. When facing uphill with a curb present, the wheels should face into the street, so that the car will roll back slightly and bump into the curb if it rolls. If there is not a curb, the wheels should face towards the side of the road.