Manual hand brakes v electronic parking brakes

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Comments

  • Milopearlindie
    Milopearlindie Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited March 2017 #32

    I would be careful to try and get a car with the electronic break in the middle where the 'normal' handbrake goes. I crashed my mercedes into the house a few years ago whilst flailing around trying to find the handbrake, which was on the right under the steering wheel, that I had forgotten to put on whilst parking on the drive.

    The Audi we now have has the brake in the middle, and my mum was able to put it on easily whilst I was busy being half ran over by the car in the carpark at the nec show after forgetting it again. I personally think its more natural to have the brake in the middle as it was when I was learning to drive

    That said my sister has a renault and it goes on automatically after stopping the engine so some makes may be more safe to a wally like me. If you get used to new things quickly then I'm sure you'll be fine, I think I'm still not quite there there after  4 years!

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #33

    I crashed my mercedes into the house a few years ago whilst flailing around trying to find the handbrake, which was on the right under the steering wheel, that I had forgotten to put on whilst parking on the drive.

    If it's not a conventional handbrake, then Merc's parking brakes are usually foot operated, using your left foot & released using your right hand. undecided

  • Milopearlindie
    Milopearlindie Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited March 2017 #34

    Yea it had a hold on the foot brake but if you turn the engine off without pressing the button on the right there is no brake, and in the confusion of it all I completely lost it and rolled in to the house. Its kind of instilled into me to go to the left, I like to think that I would have saved the back of the car if it was on the left...

  • PhilMidlands
    PhilMidlands Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited March 2017 #35

    I have a 2015 Hyundai Auto Santa |Fe and like the Sorento has the auto hold feature and electronic brake. My only concern is what do you do if the brake does not release. I am told that some Peugeot have a handle to 'wind off' the brake if the motor fails; no such arrangement as far as I can see on the Hyundai. 

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited March 2017 #36

    I find electronic handbrakes absolutely superb and a great addition to motoring especially towing.  They are however expensive to get fix if they go wrong !

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
    500 Comments
    edited March 2017 #37

    I ,drive an auto Passat with the electronic type handbrake and its very good.The auto hold system is also very good.

    v9

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #38

    +1 with the Passat. 

  • jrf
    jrf Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2017 #39

    I have a VW Tiguan ,the electronic brake and auto hold is brilliant , it holds better than ever the old hand opporated brake ever did. I tow a 2014 Coachman Pastiche 460/2.

     

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited March 2017 #40

    We had a 60 plate Insignia which had an electronic handbrake and yes you can drive away without 'releasing' it, however when we were looking around for a new tug one of the main considerations was an manual handbrake which we found on a 2015 Sorento.

    For me I like the option of being able to use a manual handbrake rather than on/off.

    As with option some like one others another.

  • Broonie
    Broonie Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited March 2017 #41

    My last car was a Hyundia i40 Tourer and the electronic handbrake is a breeze, into gear and just go, easy peasy

  • TEM
    TEM Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited March 2017 #42

    Many thanks to all the members who have contributed. Some very useful and constructive comments and examples have been voiced.

    However, I've swum against the tide of opinions and opted for a 'normal' handbrake in the form of a Honda CR-V (petrol engine). Now there's another discussion: PETROL or DIESEL!

    Happy caravanning to you all!

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