Heard It On The Radio...

[Sammy Hallett]

Hi all...

Just a random question.

I heard this on the radio the other day and was a little bemused.

An insurance company was refusing to pay out (or something like that) after a handbreak failed and the car rolled down a hill. When questioned the owner said that when using the handbreak they pressed the button in and pulled it up. The insurance company questioned the manufacturer (cant remember which one it was) and they said that the button should only be pressed when releasing the handbreak and that because of this, their claim was void (or something to that effect)

Now the DVLA said that the button should be pressed but some manufacturers (like Honda) say that the button shouldnt, and should just be pulled as this can cause the spring in the button to fail and break the handbreak.

Which brings me to my question - Button or no button?

xxx

[Phiber_Optik]

I Always use the button, was brought up being told if you let the hand brake click on its way up its a sign of a bad driver lol. Plus the clicking nose annoys me.

[yazburner]

everyone has always been taught to use the button when applying the handbrake, as you will bugger the teeth on it

but on watchdog the other day there has been a problem with new vauxhalls and the handbrakes keep coming off after people have parked, because it isnt catching in the teeth properly, so it isnt properly secure.

so vauxhall and a few other manufacturers are now saying DONT use the button, and use the clicking sound as a way to ensure it has properly caught on the teeth.

load of rubbish really, just poor manufacturing if you ask me.

insurance will do anything to get out of paying out, the law should really be tighter for them

[T600]

I Always use the button, was brought up being told if you let the hand brake click on its way up its a sign of a bad driver lol. Plus the clicking nose annoys me.

Absolutely. And in most cars pulling the handbrake on without pressing the button causes wear out the ratchet, and that could eventually lead to it failing.

I've never known any manufacturer advise otherwise, though that's not to say they haven't. Strange that they would play with the operation of a vital control such as this though.

Story sounds like the usual insurance company poor excuses not to pay out.

[Sammy Hallett]

T600 - My thoughts exactly... I never really took notice of what I do (im a button girl all the way) until my fella pulled his and it sounded like his poor car was dying. I think the sound alone is a sure enough sign that it shouldnt be just pulled.

Also, if its going to wear out by pressing it, its kinda vital that they develop a better method.

Silly insurance company, I'd be interested to know if anyone else has ever encountered this problem (This is the journalist in me coming out!)

xxx

[x JoJo x]

Thats **** silly (excuse my french...) cos when you take your test you fail if you dont use the button!!!!!!!!

Stupid People...

Whats going on with insurance companies at the mo, i also heard on the TV that companies are stooping insuring people under 21 ...OR... making the insurance price so ridiculous that if they try to get insured with a company theres no way they'll be able to afford it...

Pathetic if u ask me.

[.Chris]

It is stupid that they are saying that, but the insurance company would pay out, as it would be classed as a accidental damage claim.

TBH the person probally kicked up about because they didnt get exactly what they wanted so the company refused to pay out at all.

Using the button on your handbrake won't invalidate your a claim, and as jo said, its a fail on your driving test if you dont. lol!

[Chris81]

I'm sure the owners manual makes no mention of having to use the button to apply the handbrake, only to release it. Thats not to say that you shouldn't use it when applying it though. A friend of mine had to go on a driving course (to avoid penalty points) and got wrong off the guy for not using the button - something to do with car sympathy!! Will have to check but I reckon the Yaris manual just says pull it up to apply it!

[pinkbits69]

toyota just state to pull up on the lever, in 18 years of been a toyota main dealer mechanic i have never replaced a lever with worn ratchet teeth so they must be solid enough

[Parts-King]

I cant see how they would get away with that, surely the guy didnt want his car to run away down a hill, it was an accident wasnt it? Perhaps they will refuse to pay out if you hit somebody up the rear end, should have pressed the pedal harder, wouldnt have happened if you did that

Kingo