Electronic handbrakes
Discussion
Does anyone actually prefer these to normal handbrakes?
It seems like they take an age to engage and disengage - instant control is gone.
It's one of the few modern "improvements", along with blinding blue/white satnav/computer screens you can't turn off at night that might on it's own stop me buying a car.
It seems like they take an age to engage and disengage - instant control is gone.
It's one of the few modern "improvements", along with blinding blue/white satnav/computer screens you can't turn off at night that might on it's own stop me buying a car.
Personally, no. But there are SO many drivers who aren't interested in their driving technique or how the car operates; they just want it to get from A to Q, it's another thing not to worry about. If it stops 50% of cases of empty cars rolling down hills I suppose it's worth it.
Can you use an electronic one as an 'emergency brake' (which is correct name IIRC?), i.e. as an aid to slowing if the main brakes fail? Not tried.
Overall, hopefully it's a fad that'll fade out. Must be so much more expensive than a conventional lever.
Can you use an electronic one as an 'emergency brake' (which is correct name IIRC?), i.e. as an aid to slowing if the main brakes fail? Not tried.
Overall, hopefully it's a fad that'll fade out. Must be so much more expensive than a conventional lever.
Astra Dan said:
Can you use an electronic one as an 'emergency brake' (which is correct name IIRC?), i.e. as an aid to slowing if the main brakes fail? Not tried.
If you pull the handbrake lever switch in VWs when you are driving along it applies the normal wheel brakes absolutely full on, will trigger ABS on dry surface. Which isn't the same as an emergency back up brake separate from the main hydraulic braking system.Personally I don't like them, but if those with auto hold feature stop numpties sitting with foot on brake in traffic jams on dark wet nights then might begin to think they have some features. Manufacturers should find better place for the button than hidden somewhere near the driver's knee.
A lever which pulls on a cable which pulls on some smaller levers that apply a parking brake might seem a bit antiquated, but it's simple, and with a bit of intelligence one can tell when the thing needs maintenance, eg adjustment, lubrication, plus it's not difficult to tell if the thing is set properly or not.
I must confess, however, that sadly my argument for the traditional handbrake is completely scuppered by the use of the words "with a bit of intelligence."
Electronic oil measurement is utter lunacy. It's the whole 'not knowing' that might force some people into checking the level manually - and potentially avoiding expensive problems. All the time there's a comforting display telling you it's OK, lazy people just won't bother checking.
F i F said:
If you pull the handbrake lever switch in VWs when you are driving along it applies the normal wheel brakes absolutely full on, will trigger ABS on dry surface. Which isn't the same as an emergency back up brake separate from the main hydraulic braking system.
Personally I don't like them, but if those with auto hold feature stop numpties sitting with foot on brake in traffic jams on dark wet nights then might begin to think they have some features. Manufacturers should find better place for the button than hidden somewhere near the driver's knee.
A lever which pulls on a cable which pulls on some smaller levers that apply a parking brake might seem a bit antiquated, but it's simple, and with a bit of intelligence one can tell when the thing needs maintenance, eg adjustment, lubrication, plus it's not difficult to tell if the thing is set properly or not.
I must confess, however, that sadly my argument for the traditional handbrake is completely scuppered by the use of the words "with a bit of intelligence."
The wifes Passat doesn't do anything if you push the handbrake switch when moving at about more than walking pace and the auto hold seems to have a random setting as to whether it decides to turn on or not when you push the button. bloody pain in the arse.Personally I don't like them, but if those with auto hold feature stop numpties sitting with foot on brake in traffic jams on dark wet nights then might begin to think they have some features. Manufacturers should find better place for the button than hidden somewhere near the driver's knee.
A lever which pulls on a cable which pulls on some smaller levers that apply a parking brake might seem a bit antiquated, but it's simple, and with a bit of intelligence one can tell when the thing needs maintenance, eg adjustment, lubrication, plus it's not difficult to tell if the thing is set properly or not.
I must confess, however, that sadly my argument for the traditional handbrake is completely scuppered by the use of the words "with a bit of intelligence."
I have just changed from a 15 year old BMW to a 9 year old Mercedes and things seem to have jumped forward a lot. Electric dipstick and the strange foot handbrake but hand release, suppose I will get used to it all. How reliable are the electric dipsticks and can you believe what it tells you. What is wrong with pulling out a stick and looking at least it cant be wrong. Thats progress I suppose.
kwak said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I've got electric handbrake and stop start. Wasn't sure at first, but love them now.
Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
what is it about the electric handbrake that you love?Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
TwigtheWonderkid said:
kwak said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I've got electric handbrake and stop start. Wasn't sure at first, but love them now.
Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
what is it about the electric handbrake that you love?Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
CBR JGWRR said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
kwak said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I've got electric handbrake and stop start. Wasn't sure at first, but love them now.
Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
what is it about the electric handbrake that you love?Why do people object to stop start? What's not to like?
on a motorway in a traffic jamfine, but town driving and it's frickin lethal!
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Not having to release it. Perfect hillstarts without any effort. I'm a lazy sod. I can understand people not liking electric handbrake but stop start?? What's the appeal of using fuel whilst you're stationary?
As old people like me automatically think that its stopped making noise means its brokenF i F said:
A lever which pulls on a cable which pulls on some smaller levers that apply a parking brake might seem a bit antiquated, but it's simple, and with a bit of intelligence one can tell when the thing needs maintenance
I spent yesterday morning trying to get those smaller levers moving on my car! Does it count as "a bit of intelligence" if I could tell because the MOT man informed me that some maintenance would help him feel more inclined to give me the relevant bit of paper? To be fair to me, the other side worked!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff