On Wed, 26 May 2004, Lee Kouns wrote:

> To those who have used it:
> Would those who have used the "Emergency Brake Trick" to increase
> traction, please share your suggestions on how and when to use it.

The "emergency brake trick" helps you get traction if one wheel is on a
slick surface.

As you may know, on an open-differential car, if one wheel loses traction,
all the power will go to that wheel.  If you have a good,
properly-adjusted emergency brake, pulling it up a few clicks will
equalize the drag on the two wheels, forcing some power to go to the one
that has traction, a little like a posi-traction differential.

I've used it for climbing snowy hills and getting unstuck in slick parking
spaces.  Don't forget to release the brake again when you're done. ;)

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon
'82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel