My 12 year old Mitsubishi has cable operated handbrake but still has hill start assist, so not just on electric handbrake vehicles.
Temporary Hazard Lights
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- Bill_qaz
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Regards Bill
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mrs.smith2012
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
mike1864 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:05 amA few years back a friend put out a warning triangle to warn of his broken down car.
An approaching car duly ran over the triangle.
When confronted with my friend remonstrating over the destroyed triangle, the driver said it was actually my friend's fault "for putting it on the road."
Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
What did we do before ‘hill start’ ?—— roll backwards until on the flat, then take a run at the slope !
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mrs.smith2012
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- Bill_qaz
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Block of wood on a rope, as you moved away you pulled it in through the window 
Regards Bill
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bobtail4x4
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
many years ago I was passenger in a friends merc in germany, a bus cut the corner giving him about 4 foot between the bus and a wall, he hit both,mike1864 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:05 amA few years back a friend put out a warning triangle to warn of his broken down car.
An approaching car duly ran over the triangle.
When confronted with my friend remonstrating over the destroyed triangle, the driver said it was actually my friend's fault "for putting it on the road."
the police who turned up told him it was his fault, as had he not been in their country it would never have happened,
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myoldjalopy
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!
- Bill_qaz
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
On mine when you stop on a hill with footbrake applied and clutch down(disengaged) it increases the rpm slightly(anti stall) then when you take your foot off the brake and move to throttle, the brakes stay applied until you engage the clutch then the brakes release automatically. Really handy for example when pulling out of parallel parking space as I live on a steep hill. No need to use the handbrake unless you put it in neutral and foot off the clutch, waiting at lights for example.myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:12 pm OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!
Regards Bill
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MikeNash
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
I know we’re a bit off -topic but surely Mr Jalopy you haven’t forgotten the “No-Back” device fitted to the gearbox of the 1929 Stutz Bearcat? A sort of freewheel in reverse I believe, that’s inhibited when reverse gear is selected.
And for the children who never seen a Bearcat, well look here https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/gc19/lo ... y-lebaron/
Personally, I prefer the earlier 1919 version, see here https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/19680/ ... no-g-3096/
Regards from MikeN.
And for the children who never seen a Bearcat, well look here https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/gc19/lo ... y-lebaron/
Personally, I prefer the earlier 1919 version, see here https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/19680/ ... no-g-3096/
Regards from MikeN.
Morris Minor, the car of the future. One day they will all look like this!
- ndevans
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
I would be using the handbrake to hold the vehicle when on a hill, not the footbrake.Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:29 pmOn mine when you stop on a hill with footbrake applied and clutch down(disengaged) it increases the rpm slightly(anti stall) then when you take your foot off the brake and move to throttle, the brakes stay applied until you engage the clutch then the brakes release automatically. Really handy for example when pulling out of parallel parking space as I live on a steep hill. No need to use the handbrake unless you put it in neutral and foot off the clutch, waiting at lights for example.myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:12 pm OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!
cheers N
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
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Paladin1962
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Studebaker had it in their lineup for years, popular option.
- Bill_qaz
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
So you come to the top of the hill at a give way you and use the foot brake to stop, so you already have your foot on the brake, then you can pull away without using hand brake. As an example.ndevans wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 8:04 pmI would be using the handbrake to hold the vehicle when on a hill, not the footbrake.Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:29 pmOn mine when you stop on a hill with footbrake applied and clutch down(disengaged) it increases the rpm slightly(anti stall) then when you take your foot off the brake and move to throttle, the brakes stay applied until you engage the clutch then the brakes release automatically. Really handy for example when pulling out of parallel parking space as I live on a steep hill. No need to use the handbrake unless you put it in neutral and foot off the clutch, waiting at lights for example.myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:12 pm OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!
Or stop start traffic on a hill its easier than on and off the handbrake.
Its not compulsory you can use the handbrake if you want.
Regards Bill
- geoberni
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
We're really getting off topic with this, but....Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 8:22 pm
So you come to the top of the hill at a give way you and use the foot brake to stop, so you already have your foot on the brake, then you can pull away without using hand brake. As an example.
Or stop start traffic on a hill its easier than on and off the handbrake.
Its not compulsory you can use the handbrake if you want.
When we lived out in the USA, we road tripped to San Francisco, which as most people know has a lot of steep hills.
Junctions are always 'flat', but if you're going uphill you've stopped on a 30-40% incline.
If your automatic vehicle has one on of those stamp on/off parking brakes (for those that don't know them they are a 3rd small pedal and are either fully on or off), a conventional hill start is impossible.
It's probably the same with these modern push switch brakes.
You can't just pull away normally because I don't think any standard US Transmission in 'D' would hold the car as you moved your right foot from brake to accelerator. Unless that's the first sign that the transmission isn't brand new....
So you have to brake with left foot and then coordinate releasing left foot brake pedal while advancing right foot accelerator.
Scared the daylight out of me when I encountered it the first time.
Stopped at the line and as soon as I eased the pressure on the brake we started to roll backwards.
So had to bring left foot over to the brake while keeping it pressed with right foot, before using the 2 feet method to pull away.
People there always turn their wheels to the kerb when parking...
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Basil the 1955 series II


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mike1864
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
At the risk of going even further off-topic..
Am I alone in being really annoyed at nighttime drivers who won't engage their handbrake when stopped, eg at traffic lights?
Instead they lazily use the footbrake, dazzling the car right behind them with their array of brakelights.
It was never an issue with old cars, as the brake lights were all low down. But these days they are usually mounted much higher, and reinforced with high level (eye level!) repeaters. A safety improvement when moving (or the back marker in a static queue), but inconsiderate of stationary drivers behind you.
Is this courtesy not taught in lessons and tests?
Am I alone in being really annoyed at nighttime drivers who won't engage their handbrake when stopped, eg at traffic lights?
Instead they lazily use the footbrake, dazzling the car right behind them with their array of brakelights.
It was never an issue with old cars, as the brake lights were all low down. But these days they are usually mounted much higher, and reinforced with high level (eye level!) repeaters. A safety improvement when moving (or the back marker in a static queue), but inconsiderate of stationary drivers behind you.
Is this courtesy not taught in lessons and tests?
- ndevans
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Agree, it's sheer laziness, if you are stationary for more than seconds you should apply the handbrake.
Reminds me, I must get a new handbrake cable.
Reminds me, I must get a new handbrake cable.
cheers N
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
- svenedin
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
That does annoy me too but you would never do it in your Morris. Holding the clutch pedal down at traffic lights is going to wear out the carbon release bearing very fast!mike1864 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:42 am At the risk of going even further off-topic..
Am I alone in being really annoyed at nighttime drivers who won't engage their handbrake when stopped, eg at traffic lights?
Instead they lazily use the footbrake, dazzling the car right behind them with their array of brakelights.
It was never an issue with old cars, as the brake lights were all low down. But these days they are usually mounted much higher, and reinforced with high level (eye level!) repeaters. A safety improvement when moving (or the back marker in a static queue), but inconsiderate of stationary drivers behind you.
Is this courtesy not taught in lessons and tests?
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
- svenedin
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Regarding the OP's original question. Personally, I would always want to have hazard lights fitted to a car that is used regularly. Minors are reliable cars in well maintained condition but they are all getting rather elderly. In the meantime, indicate towards the side of the road in the event of a breakdown and if possible move the car over onto the hard shoulder. A warning triangle and high vis vest is a good idea too. As soon as practical get a hazard light switch installed. The Lucas SFB300 or copies of it is a standard system with easy to follow wiring. I have had my Morris for a very long time and I only fitted hazards a few years ago so it is possible, but not desirable, to make do without them.
Stephen
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
It's recommended that if you're the only one in the queue, you apply your brake lights if another car is approaching until you confirm they've stopped behind you, before switching to the handbrake to make sure they don't think you're pulling away and drive into you.
Another way is to look up the various EU countries rules and just buy their legally required items, then you're covered for everywhere.
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- ndevans
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
That I not aware of, thank you. Good advice. Although you can still have the handbrake applied and have your foot on the footbrake to illuminate the brake lamps.Chief wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:10 pmIt's recommended that if you're the only one in the queue, you apply your brake lights if another car is approaching until you confirm they've stopped behind you, before switching to the handbrake to make sure they don't think you're pulling away and drive into you.
cheers N
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
'69 Traveller, 1275, discs.
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mike1864
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Re: Temporary Hazard Lights
Last week I gently stopped, away from the kerb, in a quiet, narrow residential road (Woodland Rise in Maple Cross), to give way to an approaching bus, carefully weaving its way downhill between alternately parked cars.
To our amazement the car arriving behind me then pulled round me, nearly coming face-to-face with the bus, and having to swerve hard left to avoid it.
I don't suppose putting on my hazards would have made any difference to this type of driver; he was obviously driving on dipped brain.
A view that the bus driver shared, given our subsequent exchange of gestures, agreeing that the car driver had a genital appendage on the top of his head!
To our amazement the car arriving behind me then pulled round me, nearly coming face-to-face with the bus, and having to swerve hard left to avoid it.
I don't suppose putting on my hazards would have made any difference to this type of driver; he was obviously driving on dipped brain.
A view that the bus driver shared, given our subsequent exchange of gestures, agreeing that the car driver had a genital appendage on the top of his head!