I wonder if you would be able to resolve a slight disagreement between my partner and me? He's just put me on the insurance for his car (a year 2000 VW Polo, by the way) and although he professes to be completely happy with my driving, every time I put the handbrake on he winces. He always pushes the button in first so that it pulls up silently. I don't always, so you can hear the ratchet sound. I think my way is better because then you know the handbrake's on. He says it will wear it out, and that the noise is 'about as appealing as being tickled while vomiting' - a bit extreme I think. We've both held licences for about 15 years so unfortunately neither can pull rank on the other. Can you tell us who's right, please?