Electric Handbrakes -

[Peter_374241315]

Does anyone have any experience of using a towcar fitted with an electric handbrake (eg Focus C Max Ghia, Renault Espace)

I wondered what are the pros and cons are, particularly on hill starts.

Also how do they work ?

 

[sparkes]

I have experience with a discovery 3 electronic handbreak. On that car the brake comes off automatically as you pull away. great with a van on the back for hill starts.

Steve

 

[Angus1]

I`ve got one on a new Passat, and IMO it`s the worst feature in an otherwise excellent car.

I`d swap for a manual handbrake tomorrow.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Peter,

My E-Class has the equivalent of an electronic handbrake, and it's truly great. The system monitors the brake pressure - stop at a traffic light - press a bit harder and the system holds the brake pads onto the brake discs - then tap the accelerator (or brake pedal again), the brakes release and you're away.

No need to keep pressing the brake pedal when you've stopped (it's an automatic so it would otherwise creep forwards), doesn't roll back and hill starts are even easier.

Robert

 

[MikeP]

My in-laws tow with a 2004 Scenic that has an electronic handbrake. In short, it does the job. It took a bit of getting used to, but it works OK.

 

[clivea]

Hi Peter,

My E-Class has the equivalent of an electronic handbrake, and it's truly great. The system monitors the brake pressure - stop at a traffic light - press a bit harder and the system holds the brake pads onto the brake discs - then tap the accelerator (or brake pedal again), the brakes release and you're away.

No need to keep pressing the brake pedal when you've stopped (it's an automatic so it would otherwise creep forwards), doesn't roll back and hill starts are even easier.

Robert

Hi,

does it hold your brake lights and high level brake light on too?

 

[Bluebird1]

Find the handbrake on a Renault Scenic to be OK on hill starts but very difficult to use when trying to manoeuvre onto levelling blocks. Given the choice I would go for a traditional handbrake.

 

[michael_5111967]

I tow with a Ford C-Max 2l TDCi fitted with the electronic park brake. Its ok but takes some getting use to, the draw back i find on this vehicle is that the park brake will only release when the clutch pedal is fully depressed, that means some fancy toe work on throttle & clutch when pulling away on a hill to prevent rolling back, amplified when caravan is on the back & also as someone has mentioned when trying to position van on an unlevel pitch or leveling blocks, other than that its great,no chance of car rolling away after forgetting to apply handbrake as once ignition is off brakes are automaticly applied!!

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

does it hold your brake lights and high level brake light on too?

Only saw your question today - and yes the brake hold function does leave the three brake lights on.

Robert