Don't flick on the parking brake while moving. It'll scare the sh!t out of you.

 

Accidentally flicked mine on just before I'd come to a halt, something I often did with a conventional handbrake. I was only doing 3 or 4 mph I reckon, but back wheels (18") instantly locked up. Loud judder from rear tyres dragging on ground and wife screams as she is thrown forward.

 

God knows what would happen at higher speeds.

That’s why it’s called ‘emergency brake’. At higher speeds it will apply maximum brake force (and use the ABS, so no wheels will block). 

 

And you did’nt just ‘flick’ it - you need to hold it in order for it to work while moving. 

Edited 6 May, 20188 yr by GaSelle

I think I pulled it up for the briefest of time, less than a quarter of a second and the anchors deployed within milliseconds. Maybe the juddering was ABS, it was certainly very sudden and violent.

 

Never seen the parking brake referred to as an emergency brake.

Edited 6 May, 20188 yr by xman

Yes very sudden and violent nothing like the Youtube Video of a passenger being able to use the Electric Parking brake to slow the car down if the driver collapses at the wheel,

I flicked one on by mistake while checking if there was £1 fin the compartment for getting out the airport drop off point.

Not something i intend doing again.

Right hand drive cars and left hand drive cars obviously different for which hand the passenger will be using as is the case with the driver.

 

There might be plenty passengers that are able to drive that will know about parking brakes or emergency brakes as called in some countries 

but a non driver or someone that has never used an electric parking brake might be clueless about what little square thing to pull if the driver conks out, best forewarn passengers.    Or maybe tell them leave well alone.

 

 

Edited 6 May, 20188 yr by Offski

Best post of the day xman. We take the tech for granted, but I for one have changed my driving style subtly but significantly since having the new Superb. Progressive ratchet versus on/off electrical switch is just one of many examples. Braking in advance of the ACC on the motorway and re-engaging at lower speed is another. With aircraft you have to do "differences training" for each new aeroplane, to teach you how each reacts to the same control input. I wonder whether we are approaching the same point with cars.

 

'Simply clever', 

 

Do not try it with your vehicle. borrow a Demonstrator, or several different, be sure the road is empty and then if there is a salesperson with you tell them what you are about to do, or ask them to do it at around 60 mph so you can check the 'safety feature'. 

1 hour ago, BriskodaJeff said:

 Progressive ratchet versus on/off electrical switch is just one of many examples. Braking in advance of the ACC on the motorway and re-engaging at lower speed is another. With aircraft you have to do "differences training" for each new aeroplane, to teach you how each reacts to the same control input. I wonder whether we are approaching the same point with cars.

 

 

Yes you are dead right. I have just 250 miles "flying time" clocked in the new superb and I have noticed I have to change driving habits.

 

The ACC has initially been a bit annoying, its keen to actively brake to keep its distance rather than be progressive. And changing lanes has sometimes been frustrating with ACC pushing me right back and not allowing me to slot in as I normally would have done in the past. Being more assertive and having more blind faith seems to help a bit, but I reckon still need more training time.

 

Or I might just go to manual in those situations.

 

 

Don’t get me started on ACC 

?

Who has tried using their Electric Parking Brake as an Emergency Brake since reading this thread.

 

How did it go, was the car brought to a stop in a nice safe controlled manner?

3 hours ago, Offski said:

?

Who has tried using their Electric Parking Brake as an Emergency Brake since reading this thread.

 

How did it go, was the car brought to a stop in a nice safe controlled manner?

I’ve tried it multiple times. It brakes hard, but not like throwing an anchor. It’s safe and controlled - just make sure nobody is behind you. 

Edited 7 May, 20188 yr by GaSelle

Accidentally used on my old A4 just driving in a bit of a day dream and fiddling with my left hand to alter something and pulled on the break quite a shock but only doing about 20 scared me and the poor bloke behind me 

At least the car applies the brake lights when doing an "e-stop"

On 5/6/2018 at 20:25, xman said:

 

 

Never seen the parking brake referred to as an emergency brake.

Never known a time it hasn't! The handbrake is and has always been used to keep the car stationary, once stopped but also, an emergency brake, should the main brakes fail or the driver be take ill and unable to control the car.

 

Care is always needed when being used though, as it will lock the rear wheels very easily and most vehicles will not show brake lights into the bargain! As an aside, my old (1985) Saab Turbo used to have the handbrake operating on the front wheels, rather then the rear. More powerful, less likely to lock and the travel of the handbrake lever was quite long, often meaning I would have to actually inform MOT testers that "They are designed that way" When they suggest it needs adjusting to pass the test. A quick check up and they then shut up and go red!

Does it still allow a handbrake turn?

The long overdue as usual for updating UK Highway code still calls them 'Hand Brakes', 

No idea if they ever used 'Parking Brakes' as a term, but never seen them referred to as 'Emergency Brakes' by  VOSA / DVSA etc, 

plenty do call them Emergency Brakes like North Americans and others. 

Waiting and parking - Parking (239 to 247) - The Highway Code.mhtml

6 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

Does it still allow a handbrake turn?

No. It brakes on all four wheels when used when moving.