Handbreak Usage.

Okay, I live in San Antonio and I have never used a hand break in my life. Does it really make much of a diffrence to use them? How many of ya'll actually use them on a regular basis, or at all? Whats so special about the Hand break? I just dont get it.

Thanks for your responce, I was curious about it all.

100% of the time.

Only when turning

Originally Posted by Steveo8998

Okay, I live in San Antonio and I have never used a hand break in my life. Does it really make much of a diffrence to use them? How many of ya'll actually use them on a regular basis, or at all? Whats so special about the Hand break? I just dont get it.

Thanks for your responce, I was curious about it all.

Are there no hills in San Antonio? Whenever you park on a hill you should engage the hand brake to take the stress off the transmission. I even use mine in parking lots with light grades, its a good habit to be in.

JP

Always use the handbrake. I even use them in the automatic rental cars I drive. It has become second nature for me to set the handbrake in any vehcile I drive.

I always use the handbrake even when i park in my garage. My wife complains that when i drive her 323i I pull it up too high, thus making it hard for her to release it. Habit i guess.

Always! Including J turns.

Originally Posted by CJsCar

Always! Including J turns.

ha ha...

Where in south Jersey?

Originally Posted by CJsCar

Always! Including J turns.

In my old Fiat 128 (era 1976)......using the hand brake was the best way to make a virtual 90 degree turn. Blip the gas - and bang on the hand brake - let go and floor it.

haha well no there arnt many hills in San Antonio, infact i dont think iv ever parked on a hill. but maybe its a habit i shoudl get my self into, for when i ever need to park on a hill.
thanks alot for your info.

I've been using the hand brake since I've had my first car ('86 Chevy Nova). It's been a habit that I picked up from my father and I've been doing it ever since. Unfortunately, when I go to restaurants that have valet parking they don't realize that I put the hand brake up that they drive off and all you hear is a HUGE screeching noise.

And I use the hand brake when I do my J turns!

Originally Posted by Steveo8998

Okay, I live in San Antonio and I have never used a hand break in my life. Does it really make much of a diffrence to use them? How many of ya'll actually use them on a regular basis, or at all? Whats so special about the Hand break? I just dont get it.

Thanks for your responce, I was curious about it all.

If you got manual transmission in your X3, I'd suggest you start getting used to using it when parking especially on an incline.

Always use mine in all our vehicles, 100% of the time, regardless of transmission type.

Asif

I use the hndBrk for "starting" on the numerous very steep inclines here, or for parking on a steep hill. I Rarely use it for parking on a "flat" and never in the garage.
BR,md

Handbrake cant be used all the time. I live in Canada and we have some icy winter. I tried to use a handbrake one day and it freezed with the brake disc and wont let go. The handbrake stick can go down but it was actually still frozen with the disc. I tried move front and move back for 20 mins and still cant fix the problem. Finally, I need to call BMW roadside service to melt the ice for me.
After that, I dont use any handbrake in the winter.

Originally Posted by canadianbattery

Handbrake cant be used all the time. I live in Canada and we have some icy winter. I tried to use a handbrake one day and it freezed with the brake disc and wont let go. The handbrake stick can go down but it was actually still frozen with the disc. I tried move front and move back for 20 mins and still cant fix the problem. Finally, I need to call BMW roadside service to melt the ice for me.
After that, I dont use any handbrake in the winter.

I wonder if your experience is unusual. I always use my handbreak, even when my car was parked outside overnight in -21F weather, and never had a problem with freezing. (disclaimer - wasn't a BMW)