Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
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.)
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I've never heard an instrument cluster be referred to the dash before in the US. I have heard dash lights used before, but dashboard usually refers to the entire area just below the windshield.
As for parking/emergency brake, both terms are interchangeable. I usually use them when parking, sometimes when drifting the tail end around, and very rarely when I completely loose hydraulic brake function.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UltArc
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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I have pulled the hand brake on every car I've driven almost as hard as I can, and have never broken one. Hand brake is a more accurate term since it applies regardless of which situation it is being used. For the foot operated brake, I would call it a parking brake since I would never activate it while drifting, but I suppose I would use it in an emergency.