Electric parking brake

lawrie28

The main reason for the electronic parking brake is the increase in the interior space, loads more room for stuff in the centre console without the handbrake system there.

It's also easier to keep the car clean, cos I hate fluff in the fake leather foldy bit.

It stops someone other than the driver applying the brakes too.

Lum

Could always go for a foot based handbrake if you want more interior space. Bonus points if you jam the release lever up it makes for finer control of handbrake turns, I suspect.

That said having someone other than the driver applying the brakes is sometimes a good thing. If something bad happens like the driver has a heart attack, a competent passenger could prevent an accident by having access to handbrake and steering.

cyclonebri1

To be honest I like the aircraft style handbrake lever as fitted to the megane 2 the best, altogether more pleasant to use than a standard lever and takes less space without the expense of the electric version,;)

Gers

lawrie28 wrote: »

It stops someone other than the driver applying the brakes too.

Just an update - my new car is being delivered tomorrow :j and I have now been for a test drive and can see the benefits of the EPB, along with the deskilling of the driver. If I wanted the car to do everything for me I'd buy a train!

I lost a very good friend a few years ago who was killed by handcuffed prisoner in the back seat of his police car pulling on the handbrake at 70mph. RIP Joe.

Anyhoo... am excited by car so thanks to all who contributed to this thread. Progress stops for no dinosaurs!!

:rotfl::rotfl:

Flyboy152

LandyAndy wrote: »

I agree completely. How is it superior to a lever and cable?



I borrowed a Passat for 24 hours from a colleague. The parking brake was a complete PITA.

A hill start isn't a difficult manoeuvre with a traditional handbrake.

In my day (:cool:) you had to do one with hand signals as part of your test.:D

It negates the probability of forgetting to apply the parking brake.

Flyboy152

Kilty wrote: »

The EPB on my Laguna II was great - drive off and it takes itself off, applies itself when you turn the engine off too.

WHAT IT DOESN'T DO :rotfl: is apply itself when you stop with the engine running - when I first got it I forgot to put it on, hopped out to open a gate and watched the car I'd had for 5 minutes slowly roll towards a pallet of conveinently placed bricks :eek:

Still once you get used to it it's good, I hated driving hire cars with normal handbrakes when I had it because I'd forget to put it on when parked.

Munched rear discs/pads like nothing on earth though - first replaced at 16k miles

From what I understand, that wouldn't have been caused by the parking brake. The parking brake has different discs and pads, separate to the wheel brakes and are applied the the front drive train, from what I understand, of course.

Flyboy152

Lum wrote: »

I meant if you had put the brake on, and then gone inside, it's just the French electrics keeping your car in one place.

I would be investing in a set of these if I were you.

And that is worse than German, British, Japanese....... electronics, because....?

Flyboy152

Lum wrote: »

Could always go for a foot based handbrake if you want more interior space. Bonus points if you jam the release lever up it makes for finer control of handbrake turns, I suspect.

That said having someone other than the driver applying the brakes is sometimes a good thing. If something bad happens like the driver has a heart attack, a competent passenger could prevent an accident by having access to handbrake and steering.

Ever tried doing a hill start in a Mercedes? You need three feet. It is why no one buys a manual from them.

Lum

Eh? On my car with a foot based handbrake there is a tiny handle behind the gearstick that you can pull to release it.

It's not a Mercedes though, not tried their version of it, nor have I tried Citroen's

Gers

Now had the new car since Friday evening and it's going well. Someone here said I have to learn to 'trust' the EPB and that's exactly correct. I find myself searching out hills to do starts on so, that when it comes to matter, I can feel confident. Got to get used to putting the car into neutral before flicking the button but still haven't mastered a downhill hill start - car rolls forward before I can pull sideways but am sure it will soon become second nature.

Still miss the left arm doing anything. Am very old and very conditioned!

Thanks everyone.