Emergency Brake Regulations

[slomove]

I am contemplating to get rid of my "emergency" brake (nuisance, not really needed, weight).

Anybody knows if I can get a ticket here in CA if I don't have one?

Gert

[slomove]

O.K., found it already.....I think engaging the first gear qualifies as a parking brake under this code??? The additional requirement of an "Emergency Brake" is actually covered by the separate brake hydraulics for front and rear.

Gert

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CVC 26451. The parking brake system of every motor vehicle shall comply
with the following requirements:
(a) The parking brake shall be adequate to hold the vehicle or
combination of vehicles stationary on any grade on which it is
operated under all conditions of loading on a surface free from snow,
ice or loose material. In any event the parking brake shall be
capable of locking the braked wheels to the limit of traction.
(b) The parking brake shall be applied either by the driver's
muscular efforts, by spring action, or by other energy which is
isolated and used exclusively for the operation of the parking brake
or the combination parking brake and emergency stopping system.
(c) The parking brake shall be held in the applied position solely
by mechanical means.

[magnusfeuer]

Would first gear lock the wheels according to (a)? Depends on your compression I guess...

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Have not tried it but I guess it would hold. The standard T9 1st gear has a horrible ratio. It is said to be good for pulling stumps. In any case it will block the wheels better that the hand brake I got :roll:

Gert

[magnusfeuer]

According to the regulations, a couple of rubber blocks in front and back of the wheels should do nicely.

[Michael Murphy]

I can't imagine that first gear satisfies the definition above. As I read the definition, first gear would fail each of the three tests in (a) through (c).

[Elv15]

Hi Gert,

I don't know how your current setup works, but there are aftermarket mechaical calipers available. I have seen these used in conjunction with a std hydraulic caliper for racing.

cheers,

Tom

[slomove]

Currently I do have a working parking brake that came with the car. I have my doubts that it could lock the tires under any given load condition (without bodybuilder biceps) but few cars can claim that.

It is just I want to get rid of it. The lever is kind of a nuisance, don't need the thing and if I can shed a few pounds, even better.

Gert

[moosetestbestanden]

I don't know exactly what the Birkin has for an emergency brake but the Caterham 7 has what I think is refered to as a 'handbrake'.

As I understand it, an emergency brake is utilized solely to stop the car in the (exceedingly rare these days) event of total hydraulic failure.

The handbrake, on the other, ahem, hand, can very effectively be used to turn or spin a car, Maki(Timo)-Maki(Tommi)-Kankku-Salo-Vata-nen-like, on a dime, a feat well and truly demonstrated to me by a BMW driving instructor (Schumacher fan? Hell no - rally drivers were the only real drivers according to him) one day in a parking lot in Munchen.

But the feature that I like best about a 'handbrake' is the fact that I can use the thing to slow the car without illuminating the brake lights - a Very Useful Thing when that cop suddenly comes up the on-ramp and you're flying low...

If it's like mine, Gert, keep it because those chippies are always out a-huntin...

[Sean-og]

It seems to me the phrase that effectively prohibits you from using first gear as a parking brake is: "...and used exclusively for the operation of the parking brake or the combination parking brake and emergency stopping system." found in Section (b). OTOH, I suppose you could claim that you always start from 2nd gear, thus rendering 1st gear to being used exclusively as a parking brake.

[Rich J]

My understanding is that the phrase about locking the wheels has to do with applying the E brake while moving, and thereby locking the wheels. I think that is the difference between an emergency brake, and a parking brake.

[slomove]

Hmm, interesting discussion, thanks all for the advice. I guess I will think it over and will make a quick irrational decision next time I have the tunnel off :wink:

Gert