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Old 08-26-2013, 03:11 PM   #9 (permalink)
UltArc
Hydrogen > EV
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW Ohio, United States
Posts: 2,025

Silver Flea - '05 Honda Insight
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
So do people in the US call it a dashboard, though often shortened to "dash".

As for parking/emergency brake, I think what we're seeing here is a bit of history embedded in language. Once upon a time, when the standard brakes were much less reliable than nowadays, it literally was a secondary brake intended for emergency use, rather than for parking. (Cars were left in 1st gear when parked.)
I think now, it has reverted to parking brake(in function), at least over the past few decades. Many vehicles now have an electronic on/off switch for it-no lever. I was taught if the brakes fail, keep trying the brakes, down shift, use gravity/friction to try bleed it out (swerving, turning) and then ease into the parking brake. I was taught just pulling it while driving will easily snap it- but from my personal experience being stupid (always in snow) and others just being stupid whenever, they are usually pretty strong. I imagine rally cars have a substantially stronger cord, though.

It only really bugs me when people say emergency brake, and the only use they ever have for it is trying to drift- specifically just pulling it hard while driving to slide around, as if it's purpose is to be yanked hard while driving.
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