In the Owners handbook supplied with my 7 day old Titanium X automatic it has the following directive for the parking brake:-

"Do not press the release button while pulling the lever up."

This ensures that the irritating noise of the ratchet has to be endured which is usually associated with a novice driver.

Has anyone any idea why this is in the handbook? Can it do any harm if the button is depressed? In 50 years of driving different vehicles I have never ratcheted the parking brake.

I always use the button too, I think the reason they say not to press it is that it ensures the brake is on properly. If you hold the button in there's no guarantee it's on far enough to actually be locked when you let go, by not holding it in and hearing the clicking you know it is secure. Though surely not pressing it will just wear the ratchet out quicker!

There's nothing more annoying than the crunch of a handbrake, especially if you use it regularly when stationary during driving.

I'm sure they only put this in so they don't have to explain how to do it properly.

Does the book mention not riding the clutch when waiting at a junction, I see this all the time and can't believe people do it.

Does the book mention not riding the clutch when waiting at a junction, I see this all the time and can't believe people do it.

Yeah it always annoys me when I see people doing that, it's like they think inching forward will gain them some time, then most of the time they are slower setting off than me when I was in neutral with the handbrake on.

I've never driven an automatic though so can't really help with this problem.

Handbrake should be the same on the Fiesta regardless of gearbox.

I was taught always to hold the button. The only thing I can think of as to why they may say that, is that sometimes I have released the button right on the edge of a "click" in the ratchet and the lever has pinged down - only happened once or twice though.

I hate the sound of the ratchet for the handbrake, sounds like you are just wearing it out.

Handbrake should be the same on the Fiesta regardless of gearbox.

I was taught always to hold the button. The only thing I can think of as to why they may say that, is that sometimes I have released the button right on the edge of a "click" in the ratchet and the lever has pinged down - only happened once or twice though.

I hate the sound of the ratchet for the handbrake, sounds like you are just wearing it out.

I've always held the button and also had it ping down a few times but not on the ST yet. I think I was told to not hold the button for this reason, but rather that than have to put up with the horrible noise every time. Whenever I hear that noise from another car it just makes me think they're being lazy :P

Yeah it always annoys me when I see people doing that, it's like they think inching forward will gain them some time, then most of the time they are slower setting off than me when I was in neutral with the handbrake on.

I've never driven an automatic though so can't really help with this problem.

I don't think it's automatics because they should hold in gear, it looks like manuals because creep forward a bit then roll back, and they do it several times.

I think they tell you not to hold the release button in just in case the handle slips, if the button is out and you let go of the handle the brakes will be held on by the ratchet.

They tell you this in all ford manuals to not press the release button when pulling the handbrake.

I hate watching a car park with sudden stop then hear a quick about 10 notch handbrake being yanked on in like 0.5 secs. I cringe at it.

I always press the button in and then pull the handbrake up one click to ensure it's engaged properly.

Thanks for all of your replies. The advice in the handbook is quite explicit for both manuals and automatics.

It makes me cringe when I hear the ratchet objecting to such treatment and am pleased that I am in good company.

I was forced to go automatic and am finding the automatic gearbox very responsive and easy to use. The first couple of days were exciting before I realised that one has to press the footbrake every time you take the car out of Park and not only for starting the car. I have used the cruise control and will start using the Sport and manual modes shortly. Not having to use my left foot on a clutch pedal has enabled me to enjoy driving again.

The front and reverse parking aids are very useful. I found the satnav a little quirky when inputting new destinations but it seems to work ok. My last TomTom described unrecognised roads as "unidentifiable" whereas the Ford offering calls them"invisible".

My dad always said that if you press the button and pull the handbrake up you're more likely to pull the brake on too hard. On older cars this could mess up the handbrake's self-adjusting thingy-bob at the back wheels.

I dunno how true this on modern cars, however.

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My dad always said that if you press the button and pull the handbrake up you're more likely to pull the brake on too hard. On older cars this could mess up the handbrake's self-adjusting thingy-bob at the back wheels.

I dunno how true this on modern cars, however.

I only ever pull the handbrake up hard if I'm on a slope, and even then I pull it up carefully so I don't think I'd be able to pull it on too hard. I don't know what it's like on older cars though, the oldest car I've ever driven was an 02 or 04 reg Corsa that I learned to drive in (horrible car lol).

Funny thing is, since this thread started I have noticed how I pull the handbrake up, lol.

It is actually as Stoney does, I let go of the button just before the top, so it makes one click.

Funny thing is, since this thread started I have noticed how I pull the handbrake up, lol.

It is actually as Stoney does, I let go of the button just before the top, so it makes one click.

I do that a lot too, just let it click once so I know it's on properly.