When you're wondering why your rear brake pads need replacing every few thousand miles, the answer may just come to you. :p

Also, what do you call the emergency brake when it's operated by a pedal, the "other brake pedal"?

 

it's always been the "hand brake" or "parking brake" to me.

 

I use the HANDBRAKE for hill-starts all the time. Since I drive an FD regularly, the thought of replacing clutches on a regular basis scares me, so instead of slipping the clutch I do a proper hill start. Since the car isn't going anywhere at the time, rear brake pad wear is basically none.

Clutch: Mazdaspeed 4-puck @ $1500ea
Rear pads: Bendix Ultimate @ $100/set

I've only changed rear pads twice in 3 years and the car is a regular (monthly) racer. Front pads on the other hand....
hmmmmm

 

I guess beacuse it's actuated by a cable directly connected to the rear brakes so if the hydraulics of the brake system fails (emergency!!) you can in theory use it to stop.

 

I called it Handbrake back in Asia and Parking Brake here in Canada.