Manual hand brakes v electronic parking brakes
Help! I need to buy a new tow car but all the models viewed so far have the electronic parking brake. How do members feel about this modern innovation? How do members cope with hill starts when towing? Can you still buy new tow cars with the traditional style handbrake?
Here's hoping that Club members will come to my rescue?
TEM
Comments
-
I never driven one, but can't see how it would be much different. Most have option of an auto setting don't they, in which case you don't need to do anything with it other than drive. My tow car is a Mercedes with the much derided foot operated parking brake but if used, it's just released with my right hand rather than my left.
0 -
My 2015 Sorento has an electronic handbrake and I find it invaluable.
I put the system on 'autohold'and when I stop the brakes automatically come on holding the car and caravan on any hill.
When I set off I just press the throttle and the car accelerates away, automatically releasing the break. Hill starts are a breeze and no chance of rolling back.
Take the car for a test drive and I am sure you will come back convinced that electronic brakes are the way to go.
1 -
My current and last car are Audis with electronic brake and hill hold assist which applies the handbrake automatically.
The HHA was chosen for towing and its brilliant as, I am sure, the electronic handbrake alone would be.
0 -
My EPB requires me to activate it which is good as I don't want it applied every time I stop, but when I do apply it only the accelerator pedal is required to automatically release it (auto gearbox).
Hill hold assist is completely seperate from my parking brake, and operates momentarily after the brake pedal is released on an incline or until the throttle is pressed.
All done hydraulically and elecktrickery, much stronger and firmer hold than the old cable and ratchet gizmo.
1 -
The Electronic Parking Brake and Hill Hold on our VW are superb. Superior in every way to a manual set up. If for some bizzare reason you want the car to roll you just press the button to turn them off ! Wizzardery not trickery.
1 -
My last 4 cars have all been EHB and never had a problem with any of them. As they were Volvo, yes I had to put my seat belt on to move off after parked but I always do that anyway as it has become habit now. I can use my EHB on auto which comes on with the stop start operation and just requires me to press the go pedal. Or I can have it on non auto and as my car is an auto gearbox as soon as I let the brake pedal off the car starts and then it is just accelerate to release the brake. I never roll back and as regards to reversing onto a pitch I always pull forward again slightly to extend the tow hitch. I would not want an old style handbrake on any car I may get in the future.
0 -
Hi MM,
You wont be surprised that I agree with the positive comments.
The HHA is fantastic and it can be switched on or off but, like an auto box with paddles, again my second car with this, it is usually left on and, despite my advance years,
I would not wish to return to what was a simple system but has now been improved on and is entirely under my control.
As Cornish comedian Jethro says when asked if his car is a manual or automatic: "well its an automatic.............but I've got to be there"
0 -
I have never had to have any adjustments to the EHB in any of my cars. If they have been it would be when serviced but have not noticed anything on the invoice.I don't think the EHB has a long wire from the lever so no cable stretching involved.
0 -
I have had Electronic Parking Break and Hill Start on my DSG VWs for the past 7 years and consider them to be excellent especially so when towing a caravan. Hill start - just switch on hill start and when ready to move off press pedal! Can't get much easier than that. With the Parking Break, if applied, when ready to move off just press pedal and off you go. They are almost the same but you can switch on hill start permanently if you wish Not sure you can do hand break turns with an electronic break - never tried!!
0 -
The only problem with the electronic system is, having got used to it you return to an old car without it and keep forgetting to set the handbrake.
1 -
Driving an Audi Q5 with DSG, the only complaint is when reversing uphill to hitch the caravan on! Unless you use both feet at the same time (stop plus go pedals) plus hand on the EPB switch (just in case), it is very difficult to gently slide up to the ball.
The reversing camera helps but my OH always insists upon getting in the way to stop me scratching the paintwork!!
Peter
0 -
slow speed maneuvering was my main dislike of a DSG ..... my Smarts aren't much better ..... I always use 2 feet anyway, but that will sometime time confuse the gearbox as they don't like both pedals pressed together.
Is scratching the other half the prefered option rather than scratching your car?
0 -
I thought that was what motor-movers are for!
1 -
All I have to do in a Merc is jab the foot brake as I stop and the EPB goes into HOLD, when ready for off simply touch the accelerator and away we go. If I park the car, all I do is stop the engine on the button open the door and the EPB comes on, if the passenger opens the door the EPB also comes on. Who needs a hand brake or even a button!
0
unless of course you've broken it 
