I got stick. I use my parking blake often.
From other cars I've worked on, only the rear has double duty. If u remove the disk u will see the drum on the inside which is controled by a physical cable to your parking brake.

 

So the rear has BOTH a drum and a Disc brake system?

 

After washing the car I always drive slowly down the driveway with the handbrake lightly applied. This cleans the rear discs nicely, but I wonder if once per week is enough?

 

So the rear has BOTH a drum and a Disc brake system?
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Have you seen a rotor (not on the car) the part for the hand brake is behind those holes. The parking brake does not use the disc part, so you rear disc may look clean but the parking brake could be a different story.

 

So the rear has BOTH a drum and a Disc brake system?
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Have you seen a rotor (not on the car) the part for the hand brake is behind those holes. The parking brake does not use the disc part, so you rear disc may look clean but the parking brake could be a different story.
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Not sure if I am following your point, but there is no doubt that applying the handbrake does use the rear discs.

 

Yes the parking brake is in the rear disc, but it does not use the surface that you can see through your rims which mean it does not use your caliper. It uses the part inside behind the holes where the bolts would come out and the parking brake is similar to a system found on the drum brakes. If you know what a drum brake is, you should get the picture of where that little drum would be located on the rear disc.

 

Yes the parking brake is in the rear disc, but it does not use the surface that you can see through your rims which mean it does not use your caliper. It uses the part inside behind the holes where the bolts would come out and the parking brake is similar to a system found on the drum brakes. If you know what a drum brake is, you should get the picture of where that little drum would be located on the rear disc.
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After washing the car (if the car stands for a while) you will see rust coloured powder coating the discs (front & rear). When parking the car after washing, the process of applying the handbrake definitely cleans the rear discs (which will not happen if you only use the regular brakes). So now I am confused.

 

OK Here's how I picture you ok, after you wash your car, the disc gets rusty so you get in your car and drive and apply your handbrake. Then you stop your car (by applying your footbrake I assume) and you get out, all four disc is now clean right? That's the reason, you used your footbrake and naturally all four disc will by applied and therefore all four disc are clean.

If you still don't get what I say next time after washing your car and with rusty disc, put the car in drive for a slow (and I mean slow) roll and use your handbrake to stop your car (if possible) when the car comes to a complete stop then put your car back in P (assuming you have auto) step out to see if your disc is still clean.

 

OK Here's how I picture you ok, after you wash your car, the disc gets rusty so you get in your car and drive and apply your handbrake. Then you stop your car (by applying your footbrake I assume) and you get out, all four disc is now clean right? That's the reason, you used your footbrake and naturally all four disc will by applied and therefore all four disc are clean.

If you still don't get what I say next time after washing your car and with rusty disc, put the car in drive for a slow (and I mean slow) roll and use your handbrake to stop your car (if possible) when the car comes to a complete stop then put your car back in P (assuming you have auto) step out to see if your disc is still clean.
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Don't get me wrong, I know what you are saying. But I will do the test & let you know what happens.

 

That's what this forum is for, I understand not everybody is as into these thing as I am and not everyone understand what goes on under your car.