Electronic handbrakes are lethal!
Discussion
I got out of my car, pulled the electronic handbrake on a flat ish drive and went to open the door. In the distance I saw my car silently rolling backwards down the drive!
By the time i got back it was rolling too fast to try stopping it but fortunately I was carrying a large heavy box so I put that under the rear wheel and the car (just) stopped enough for me to jump in.
At the bottom of the road were kids on bikes.
It was so close to being a disaster.
Question is why the car doesn't alert you or brake itself of no key is alerted. You pull the button but sometimes it doesn't engage. I will leave in gear from now on, to be honest I normally do if on a slope but the drive is pretty much flat so I didn't think it would roll.
Seriously though, what was wrong with a proper handbrake that you could pull on? At least you know you've done it. Hill starts are clunky too with electronic handbrakes. I despise them!
By the time i got back it was rolling too fast to try stopping it but fortunately I was carrying a large heavy box so I put that under the rear wheel and the car (just) stopped enough for me to jump in.
At the bottom of the road were kids on bikes.
It was so close to being a disaster.
Question is why the car doesn't alert you or brake itself of no key is alerted. You pull the button but sometimes it doesn't engage. I will leave in gear from now on, to be honest I normally do if on a slope but the drive is pretty much flat so I didn't think it would roll.
Seriously though, what was wrong with a proper handbrake that you could pull on? At least you know you've done it. Hill starts are clunky too with electronic handbrakes. I despise them!
I've seen a new astra roll down the road before after the handbrake was put on.
I honestly see no point in them whatsoever.
I always leave any car i drive in gear anyway, but still, they're a stupid fad and should be removed.
If the car rolled away and killed someone, im sure the manufacturer would get their arse sued off.
I honestly see no point in them whatsoever.
I always leave any car i drive in gear anyway, but still, they're a stupid fad and should be removed.
If the car rolled away and killed someone, im sure the manufacturer would get their arse sued off.
This has been more common since "everyday" cars went onto rear disc brakes. The disc contracts as it cools and slightly releases the handbrake. I've known of an Omega and two Passats roll away because of it. I believe VW mention in the handbook to leave the car in gear. I really don't know why everyone doesn't do this as a matter of default!
It's higher tech, innit. Buttons are cooler than levers, no doubt. You're all just Luddites. Plus there are all the other...features. Hill hold, hill pull away, anti backwards rolling, limo stop, emergency stop assist, stop assisting, tech noise, stuck epb, the list goes on....it's all tech, we've all been screaming out for this stuff. Just jump in, press the start button and go, just easy.
I am not keen on the button for a 'handbrake' although I'm sure they are called parking brakes now. But being devils advocate... The old fashioned handbrake would fail, cable would break or simply not pulled up hard enough it's maybe back in the day we didn't have as much forums to complain on.
Leave the car in gear and all is ok. Until the other half goes to start up the car without taking it out gear first or depressing the clutch pedal.......
I could see an scenario where an old school handbrake would be better and that is where the driver has some sort of medical attack and the passenger needs to bring the car to a safe stop. The manual handbrake could be pulled up progressively and the car slowed in a controlled manner. But of course how often does this happen!
Leave the car in gear and all is ok. Until the other half goes to start up the car without taking it out gear first or depressing the clutch pedal.......
I could see an scenario where an old school handbrake would be better and that is where the driver has some sort of medical attack and the passenger needs to bring the car to a safe stop. The manual handbrake could be pulled up progressively and the car slowed in a controlled manner. But of course how often does this happen!
RicksAlfas said:
This has been more common since "everyday" cars went onto rear disc brakes. The disc contracts as it cools and slightly releases the handbrake. I've known of an Omega and two Passats roll away because of it.
That could explain my observations of my handbrake...put it on, it's fine, then 20 seconds later it starts to start creaking, so I have to re-applyI trust my handbrake on level ground, and slight, slight gradients, but I leave it in gear on steeper hills. Question is, if I am facing downhill, should I leave it in a forward gear, and if I am facing up hill, should I leave it in reverse? i.e. so that depending on which was the car is likely to roll, the engine turns the correct way (i.e. not backwards)
mikecassie said:
I could see an scenario where an old school handbrake would be better and that is where the driver has some sort of medical attack and the passenger needs to bring the car to a safe stop. The manual handbrake could be pulled up progressively and the car slowed in a controlled manner. But of course how often does this happen!
The aforementioned emergency stop assist has that scenario covered.I think I'm alone in really liking my electronic handbrake.
In over 2 years and 40k miles, it's never failed and the auto-hold works perfectly.
Also, if you stop and turn the engine off, I'm pretty sure that it engages automatically.
I know a lot of people have had problems with them but I now find it weird getting into a car without one.
In over 2 years and 40k miles, it's never failed and the auto-hold works perfectly.
Also, if you stop and turn the engine off, I'm pretty sure that it engages automatically.
I know a lot of people have had problems with them but I now find it weird getting into a car without one.
CB2152 said:
My 9-5 has a standard handbrake, but does have to be put in reverse gear before you can even take the key out. Excellent if the handbrake fails facing downhill, not so much I presume, if it fails while facing uphill...
Why? You'll get the same amount of engine braking either way.Kawasicki said:
It's higher tech, innit. Buttons are cooler than levers, no doubt. You're all just Luddites. Plus there are all the other...features. Hill hold, hill pull away, anti backwards rolling, limo stop, emergency stop assist, stop assisting, tech noise, stuck epb, the list goes on....it's all tech, we've all been screaming out for this stuff. Just jump in, press the start button and go, just easy.
I'm "young" and I personally think that levers are cooler.
Yes; I know that's not a handbrake.
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