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Handbrake hell

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TRENTENR

New member
Ok, so the new car arrived today. Apart from stalling it at the first set of traffic lights (must remember the stop/start) I can't suss out the hill hold and electronic park assist function. The guy from VW who delivered the car said I just need to keep the hill assist on all the time and then never worry about the electronic handbrake, which will come on/off automatically. But I think he only meant when I'm driving it for hill starts and not parking the car!!!

So having parked up this evening, not pressed any buttons and settled down with a beer and the owners manual, imagine my surprise when I read you must always select the electronic handbrake when leaving the car!!! Following some slightly soiled underpants I rushed to the window and fortunately the car had not rolled off anywhere. So I then entered the car and pulled back the electronic hand brake, heard a clunk and saw the reassuring red parking light on the dash. However, when the car is then locked, the red light goes out but doesn't reappear if I then get back in to the car. So how do I know the feckin handbrake is on???

Give me the old Victorian metal cable anytime
 
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marky_boy1

Passed Driver's Ed
TRENTENR said:
Ok, so the new car arrived today. Apart from stalling it at the first set of traffic lights (must remember the stop/start) I can't suss out the hill hold and electronic park assist function. The guy from VW who delivered the car said I just need to keep the hill assist on all the time and then never worry about the electronic handbrake, which will come on/off automatically. But I think he only meant when I'm driving it for hill starts and not parking the car!!!

So having parked up this evening, not pressed any buttons and settled down with a beer and the owners manual, imagine my surprise when I read you must always select the electronic handbrake when leaving the car!!! Following some slightly soiled underpants I rushed to the window and fortunately the car had not rolled off anywhere. So I then entered the car and pulled back the electronic hand brake, heard a clunk and saw the reassuring red parking light on the dash. However, when the car is then locked, the red light goes out but doesn't reappear if I then get back in to the car. So how do I know the feckin handbrake is on???

Give me the old Victorian metal cable anytime
Click to expand...

I have auto hold turned on all the time. If you come to a complete stop with foot on brake the handbrake light will come on in green to show the auto hold is working. If you then touch throttle and ease off clutch it will then release the handbrake without you even noticing. But if you take it out of gear the light will turn on showing hand brake is now on. So stop the engine and of you go. When you get in the car next, dont touch button to release handbrake, just go to pull of again with little throttle and clutch pedal up thecar will auto release. I haven't really touched the handbrake button since we got the car.

The thing that worrys me is if the battery goes dead how the fuck do you move car! I park along side of house so to jump start would need really long leads!
 
G

gtiw7

Ready to race!
Location
cruising around
TRENTENR said:
I rushed to the window and fortunately the car had not rolled off anywhere. So I then entered the car and pulled back the electronic hand brake
Click to expand...

You can always engage 6th gear before leaving your car, that will give you a piece of mind if you don't trust the new electronic e-brake...this way you make sure your car won't move even an inch regardless of the e-brake, even if it was hitted by another car doing 60mph LOL

I know it is not exactly smart to do so, but it is definitely better then "not finding" the car wherever you left it :D
 
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TRENTENR

New member
Thanks both. Slowly getting used to it. Unfortunately hit today as I reversed out the drive. I saw the idiot coming towards me and stopped, assuming he would do the same and let me out, but he just carried on and I now have a wrecked rear bumper and badly scuffed car:(

Unfortunately think the insurers will get me for this because you're not supposed to reverse on to a main road apparently. 13 plate so unlucky for me....
 
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sacers

New member
Location
Andover
Just joined you in Hades

I have had three 2.0 GT TDI Golfs in seven years, but was not prepared for the lack of a 'proper' hand brake on the Mark 7.

On collecting the new car from the garage I stalled it, the brake having failed to release. The salesman assured me I would get used to it, but admitted sales staff had experienced similar issues.

In the ensuing few months I have managed to stall the car on several occasions when the brakes have failed to release; this is annoying and embarrassing, and a particular potential nightmare on steep inclines.

In Cornwall recently, we got caught up in a jam on a steepish uphill stretch. Having selected 1st gear and applied moderate throttle, the brakes still held after easing off the clutch. Foolishly (in hindsight) I prodded the foot brake pedal and switched the hand brake off. The car started backwards, much to my concern (not to mention to the concern of my nervous passenger wife and the occupants of the car behind us).

Is this a matter of technique, or a flaw in the design of the braking system?
 
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monkey boy kev

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Sunny South Coast
sacers said:
I have had three 2.0 GT TDI Golfs in seven years, but was not prepared for the lack of a 'proper' hand brake on the Mark 7.

On collecting the new car from the garage I stalled it, the brake having failed to release. The salesman assured me I would get used to it, but admitted sales staff had experienced similar issues.

In the ensuing few months I have managed to stall the car on several occasions when the brakes have failed to release; this is annoying and embarrassing, and a particular potential nightmare on steep inclines.

In Cornwall recently, we got caught up in a jam on a steepish uphill stretch. Having selected 1st gear and applied moderate throttle, the brakes still held after easing off the clutch. Foolishly (in hindsight) I prodded the foot brake pedal and switched the hand brake off. The car started backwards, much to my concern (not to mention to the concern of my nervous passenger wife and the occupants of the car behind us).

Is this a matter of technique, or a flaw in the design of the braking system?
Click to expand...

When I 1st got the car I also stalled it many number of times :eek::eek: getting used to the e-brake. Now i don't even think about it, i have the auto hold feature on permanently and so never have the need to even think about using the handbrake - even for hill starts.It's amazing how quickly you do get used to it and the idiosyncrasies that come with it.
 
O

Option155

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Kent
Elec brake is seamless with DSG. Once seatbelt on, ignition on and fired, apply accelerator and it turns off itself. Back on when put back in park. Start/stop hold also seemless. I haven't touched either yet. No need.
 
E

enkil

Ready to race!
Location
Malaysia
Option155 said:
Elec brake is seamless with DSG. Once seatbelt on, ignition on and fired, apply accelerator and it turns off itself. Back on when put back in park. Start/stop hold also seemless. I haven't touched either yet. No need.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Cheers
 
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dickt

Ready to race!
Location
Earth
I had one of those elec brake gadgets on a Passat. I never used it until I went on a one-day driver training course. The Elfin Safety lot at work insisted.
The ex-copper was very very keen on the elec brake thingie, and taught me how to use it.
I've now got one in the Golf Mk 7 and have just got used to it. I guess I was fully comfortable with it after about 300 miles.
It still does one random thing that I have not figured out. When I park the car, sometimes the parking brake engages fully. (The other button, not the hill hold-type button). Other times it does not. No idea why.
 
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stephenwmc

New member
Location
Mid Wales
I've found that if you park up and take your seatbelt off before stopping the engine, the handbrake light will turn from green to red and the handbrake will come on properly.

Another thing i've noticed is that the brake lights remain on when the green handbrake symbol is lit, even if your foot isn't on the brake pedal.
 
dadu

dadu

Ready to race!
Location
RO
I used it for 5 years on Tiguan and got numerous errors. I'm still not intending to use it. If possible.
 
DW58

DW58

Go Kart Champion
Location
Moray, NE Scotland
I damned well hope so otherwise there's going to be a lot of rear-enders ... ... ... oooh err Missus! :eek:
 
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