Always Press The Handbrake Button? Myth Busted

Always Depress The Handbrake Button? Should you always press the button when applying the parking brake? Will the parking brake wear out if you don't press the button? What's the best way to apply the emergency brake? Will not pressing the handbrake button cause it to wear out? Let's look at how parking brakes work, to better understand why the mechanism will not wear out. Wear results when two objects contact one another at different speeds. This generates heat, and heat accelerates wear. With a parking brake, the speed difference and heat generation is so minimal that wear is not something to be concerned with. This is why you'll still hear the ratcheting mechanism on foot brakes, as well as socket wrenches.