At Brizwest Driving School we encourage learners to use the handbrake quietly. On a journey there may be many hill starts along the way and the handbrake ratchet can be quite noisy and a little irritating at times.

If you press the button in on the end of the handbrake at all times before moving the handbrake up or down the process can be very quiet and just as effective. To engage the handbrake - just push the button in and lift as far as needed and release the button so that it locks into place.

Allowing the handbrake to make a ratcheting noise can cause wear on the pin and the locking surface and all of this is not necessary. Maybe you could consider this and make it a habit to be elegant when using the handbrake.