Because.. In my old 1964 VW sedan when the single circuit master cylinder blew out a seal coming to a stop, thus creating an emergency, the hand brake (parking or emergency or the name-of-the-day for it braking system got me stopped safely. I drove it home that way too. My '67 Sunbeam Alpine has one too (and sometimes needs it). Emergency brakes; they are not just for parking anymore. (Yes, you DO have to know how to use it). It will always be an emergency brake to me. Dave On 10/29/07, Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> wrote: > > >Why do folk in the US call it an "emergency" brake" It's for parking > >ie a parking brake, or if hand-operated (as is normal) a handbrake > > > > > >I guess because in the event of a total loss of brake fluid, and > >therefore all braking power, it could be used to stop/slow the > >vehicle since it's mechanical. Unlikely, but possible. Jeff > > Especially with an underdash T-handle you might well end up > spinningif you yank on it and then can't get it to release cleanly > (as is not uncommon with this setup). At least a pull-up lever as in > most Japanese cars and T3s can be easily modulated. > > > Um... hydraulic brakes are mechanical to... as are pneumatic. > |
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