Thanks for that info. Is it true for all cars? This is something that always bugged me. I thought pulling up for 2-3 clicks was the normal. Pulling more than that made me scared that the cable might snap So in my case the handbrake was never properly engaged, though it did the job being in flat terrain most of the time.It's a rule of the thumb for cars. You will need to consult your car's owners or service manual for the exact specs in your particular vehicle. The number of clicks before the brakes apply is important because too few can mean not enough slack on the cables and a partially engaged brake. While too many can mean the brakes don't apply properly when the brake lever is engaged.