ELI5, during winters and colder seasons you’re told not to use the handbrake of it possibly freezing. Why wouldn’t a gear in a gearbox freeze as well?
In: 40
The handbrake, also known as the emergency brake or parking brake, is a mechanism that is separate from the transmission and is used to hold a vehicle in place when it is parked. The handbrake operates on the rear wheels of a vehicle, using a cable to apply the brake pads directly to the brake drums or discs. Because the handbrake is not part of the transmission, it is not lubricated by the transmission fluid and is more susceptible to freezing in cold weather.
The gears in a transmission, on the other hand, are lubricated by transmission fluid, which helps to prevent them from freezing or seizing up. Transmission fluid has a low freezing point, so it remains liquid in cold weather and can continue to lubricate the gears. Additionally, the gears in a transmission are usually enclosed in a housing, which helps to keep them warm and prevent freezing.
Of course, it is still possible for the gears in a transmission to freeze or seize up in extreme cold weather, but it is less likely than with the handbrake. If you are concerned about your vehicle in cold weather, it is always a good idea to check the level and condition of your transmission fluid, as well as the condition of your handbrake, to ensure that both are in good working order.
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