Handbrake handbrake failure....again i know

helenhellybronze · 15th July 2008, 17:53

Hi all

I am new to this site, however from reading the posts I see the handbrake problem is ongoing. I purchased my honda civic 56 plate in march this year, no problems, great, had a letter in July stating a possible fault with the handbrake which sugested I take the car in to my local dealer, which I promptly did that Friday, the following friday my car was found by the police in a neighbours garden wall, having mounting a public footpath first. the police found the car with the handbrake fully on to the maximum, they advised us to take photographs and opened a file for us to use in our defense, they were totally on my side.

However, surprise surprise Honda deny any fault, even though the service manager said it happened last week to another car following the replacement of the 'new' handbrake. only that car didnt hit anything.

Whilst I respect fellow members' views on the highway code's recommendations of leaving the car in gear etc, the police at no time suggested it was my fault, and agreed Honda is at fault. Surely if it was a legal obligation to leave a car in gear etc etc then I would be charged, As my car could have killed a young child in that garden.

I never received any documentation regarding using the gears in conjunction with the handbrake due to the timing of my purchase.

My question is how many members have problems after the new handbrake is fitted and what is the outcome of their claims.

Thanks

Helen

Unknownsoldier · 15th July 2008, 18:03

Welcome......................Sounds like you have a fairly good case there, ask the police if the CPS lawyer thinks there are any proceedings to be brought against Honda, as IMHO this is getting similar to the Renault Bonnet, 'if anything happens you're at fault', you never know Honda may take note.

ATB,
Tom

NH Dan · 15th July 2008, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenhellybronze

Hi all

I am new to this site, however from reading the posts I see the handbrake problem is ongoing. I purchased my honda civic 56 plate in march this year, no problems, great, had a letter in July stating a possible fault with the handbrake which sugested I take the car in to my local dealer, which I promptly did that Friday, the following friday my car was found by the police in a neighbours garden wall, having mounting a public footpath first. the police found the car with the handbrake fully on to the maximum, they advised us to take photographs and opened a file for us to use in our defense, they were totally on my side.

However, surprise surprise Honda deny any fault, even though the service manager said it happened last week to another car following the replacement of the 'new' handbrake. only that car didnt hit anything.

Whilst I respect fellow members' views on the highway code's recommendations of leaving the car in gear etc, the police at no time suggested it was my fault, and agreed Honda is at fault. Surely if it was a legal obligation to leave a car in gear etc etc then I would be charged, As my car could have killed a young child in that garden.

I never received any documentation regarding using the gears in conjunction with the handbrake due to the timing of my purchase.

My question is how many members have problems after the new handbrake is fitted and what is the outcome of their claims.

Thanks

Helen

This doesnt sound like the 'faulty ratchet' handbrake fault , rather the 'cooling discs' fault due to your statement about the handbrake still being in the fully on position when the vehicle was found. So shouldnt be anything to do with whether the handbrake has been replaced or not, more to do with the discs cooling and the brake shoes losing grip - still a problem I know.

With regards to the leaving in gear or not, as you'll see, its been discussed at GREAT length (

) on here with a variety of opinions as to who has been told what in the past. Page 337 (type s/r) in the owners manual advises that "if the vehicle is facing uphill, turn the front wheels away from the curb and put the transmission in 1st gear" and conversely if facing downhill.

Dimplyred · 15th July 2008, 18:20

I agree with NH Dan, it sounds like the brake discs cooling and contracting so the pads fail to grip them fully.

pikkumies · 15th July 2008, 20:02

i ALWAYS leave my car with transmission set to 1st gear. No matter if it's uphill, downhill or in a balanced state

robbo51 · 15th July 2008, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimplyred

I agree with NH Dan, it sounds like the brake discs cooling and contracting so the pads fail to grip them fully.

I have to agree.
Although its not the answer you were hoping for; if you dont leave your car in gear, youre asking for trouble.
However, good luck in getting your claim dealt with to your satisfaction

Topcat · 15th July 2008, 21:31

Well I say luck was on your side that the police found the car an saw that the handbrake was fully on, as you say if the whole world was supposed to leave the car in gear at all times then you would be prosecuted, but the police agree that the what happened is not usual.

Interesting that whenever I used to collect my car or a courtesy car from my dealership the cars were never left in gear. neither were the cars in the showroom, surely that is a huge danger to public with all those big glass windows

NH Dan · 15th July 2008, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topcat

Well I say luck was on your side that the police found the car an saw that the handbrake was fully on, as you say if the whole world was supposed to leave the car in gear at all times then you would be prosecuted, but the police agree that the what happened is not usual.

Interesting that whenever I used to collect my car or a courtesy car from my dealership the cars were never left in gear. neither were the cars in the showroom, surely that is a huge danger to public with all those big glass windows

ah TC my dear, how are you??

Personally, i've never seen too many showrooms that are built on slopes, so never much chance of anything rolling away, no matter what the state of the brakes.

You'll note that my previous post states that the owners manual 'advises' rather than 'decrees'. You wont get arrested for not doing it but then if you do do it, you're car shouldn't roll away either, no matter where it is.

HappyMan · 15th July 2008, 23:03

A very warm welcome to civinfo.

since joining Civinfo and reading stuff on here I have left my car in gear wherever I am. I have got into the habit of doing so.

It does worry me the thought of my car suddenly taking of because of a faulty/non - functioning handbrake.

I am sorry to hear about your problem and hope you can sort it out amicably.

gr021857 · 15th July 2008, 23:31

Dan, I think TC might be referring to the ramps that are used on certain forecourts, I know the Garage near me have a few, they ramp up at about a 30 degree angle and the car is sat there, if the issue was to arise, it would simply roll backwards and crash into anything behind it.

I'm sure the ramps themselves have safety features to avoid such a thing, but if not then I can see the situation actually occuring, and that as TC said would be one of them nice big glass windows going bye bye

I've not had mine replaced yet but I do now always leave it in gear anyway just to make perfectly sure, it only takes a second and I don't even think about it now.

NH Dan · 15th July 2008, 23:36

nah, she said 'cars IN the showroom' but i do know what you mean with the display ramps.

cb550 · 16th July 2008, 06:44

If the handbrake really was pulled up to the maximum,as stated,that would indicate the handbrake was'nt adjusted correctly.

I'm reasonably strong enough in the arm,but it would take a concerted effort to pull my handbrake up to its limit.

I learned the wisdom of leaving my car in gear 35 years ago when I came out of a friend's house to see my Escort mk 1 about to disappear into a neighbour's hedge.Its as natural to me leaving the car in gear as it is removing the ignition key.

Kremmen · 16th July 2008, 06:55

This problem with cooling discs has been around for ages. Citroen's fix was to supply a new handbrake lever with the first 3 notches missing so you had to put some effort into engaging the first notch.

I've been a passenger in a few cars where I've witnessed the handbrake being applied with just one or two fingers under the lever and no real effort applied. No wonder sometimes they run off whilst it appears the lever has been applied.

I am not for one minute suggesting this is what happened here though.

15th July 2008, 17:53	#1 (permalink)
helenhellybronze Valve Cap Join Date: 14th July 2008 Location: wales Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	handbrake failure....again i know Hi all I am new to this site, however from reading the posts I see the handbrake problem is ongoing. I purchased my honda civic 56 plate in march this year, no problems, great, had a letter in July stating a possible fault with the handbrake which sugested I take the car in to my local dealer, which I promptly did that Friday, the following friday my car was found by the police in a neighbours garden wall, having mounting a public footpath first. the police found the car with the handbrake fully on to the maximum, they advised us to take photographs and opened a file for us to use in our defense, they were totally on my side. However, surprise surprise Honda deny any fault, even though the service manager said it happened last week to another car following the replacement of the 'new' handbrake. only that car didnt hit anything. Whilst I respect fellow members' views on the highway code's recommendations of leaving the car in gear etc, the police at no time suggested it was my fault, and agreed Honda is at fault. Surely if it was a legal obligation to leave a car in gear etc etc then I would be charged, As my car could have killed a young child in that garden. I never received any documentation regarding using the gears in conjunction with the handbrake due to the timing of my purchase. My question is how many members have problems after the new handbrake is fitted and what is the outcome of their claims. Thanks Helen

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This thread is about: handbrake failure....again i know, it's in Bugs, faults and irritations at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Hi all I am new to this site, however from reading the posts I see the handbrake problem is ongoing. I purchased my honda civic ...

15th July 2008, 18:03	#2 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Comedian/Smart Ase Civinfo guru* Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 2,422 Thanks: 47 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	Welcome......................Sounds like you have a fairly good case there, ask the police if the CPS lawyer thinks there are any proceedings to be brought against Honda, as IMHO this is getting similar to the Renault Bonnet, 'if anything happens you're at fault', you never know Honda may take note. ATB, Tom

15th July 2008, 18:20	#4 (permalink)
Dimplyred Type R GT 09570 Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th August 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 3,701 Thanks: 17 Thanked 65 Times in 64 Posts	I agree with NH Dan, it sounds like the brake discs cooling and contracting so the pads fail to grip them fully.

15th July 2008, 20:02	#5 (permalink)
pikkumies Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 14th May 2006 Location: Jyväskylä, Finland Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i ALWAYS leave my car with transmission set to 1st gear. No matter if it's uphill, downhill or in a balanced state

15th July 2008, 21:31	#7 (permalink)
Topcat Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 11th May 2006 Location: Middlesex Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Well I say luck was on your side that the police found the car an saw that the handbrake was fully on, as you say if the whole world was supposed to leave the car in gear at all times then you would be prosecuted, but the police agree that the what happened is not usual. Interesting that whenever I used to collect my car or a courtesy car from my dealership the cars were never left in gear. neither were the cars in the showroom, surely that is a huge danger to public with all those big glass windows

15th July 2008, 23:03	#9 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Rocketship door handle Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 1,936 Thanks: 11 Thanked 40 Times in 39 Posts	A very warm welcome to civinfo. since joining Civinfo and reading stuff on here I have left my car in gear wherever I am. I have got into the habit of doing so. It does worry me the thought of my car suddenly taking of because of a faulty/non - functioning handbrake. I am sorry to hear about your problem and hope you can sort it out amicably.

15th July 2008, 23:31	#10 (permalink)
gr021857 Valve Cap Join Date: 6th January 2008 Location: Warrington, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dan, I think TC might be referring to the ramps that are used on certain forecourts, I know the Garage near me have a few, they ramp up at about a 30 degree angle and the car is sat there, if the issue was to arise, it would simply roll backwards and crash into anything behind it. I'm sure the ramps themselves have safety features to avoid such a thing, but if not then I can see the situation actually occuring, and that as TC said would be one of them nice big glass windows going bye bye I've not had mine replaced yet but I do now always leave it in gear anyway just to make perfectly sure, it only takes a second and I don't even think about it now.

15th July 2008, 23:36	#11 (permalink)
NH Dan Newton Honda Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 31st January 2008 Location: South London,Uk Posts: 915 Thanks: 19 Thanked 23 Times in 23 Posts	nah, she said 'cars IN the showroom' but i do know what you mean with the display ramps.

16th July 2008, 06:44	#12 (permalink)
cb550 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 26th May 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 385 Thanks: 13 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	If the handbrake really was pulled up to the maximum,as stated,that would indicate the handbrake was'nt adjusted correctly. I'm reasonably strong enough in the arm,but it would take a concerted effort to pull my handbrake up to its limit. I learned the wisdom of leaving my car in gear 35 years ago when I came out of a friend's house to see my Escort mk 1 about to disappear into a neighbour's hedge.Its as natural to me leaving the car in gear as it is removing the ignition key.

16th July 2008, 06:55	#13 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,577 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	This problem with cooling discs has been around for ages. Citroen's fix was to supply a new handbrake lever with the first 3 notches missing so you had to put some effort into engaging the first notch. I've been a passenger in a few cars where I've witnessed the handbrake being applied with just one or two fingers under the lever and no real effort applied. No wonder sometimes they run off whilst it appears the lever has been applied. I am not for one minute suggesting this is what happened here though.