Things I have learned about Auto-Hold that was not clear in the manual...

 

1. Auto-Hold ON

 

- Stopping in traffic – When the car comes to a stop the rear brakes? are applied and hold the car in place, up/down hill. This is an ABS based system? All brakes? Useful when maneuvering on sloping roads, for example. Or coming to a stop in traffic on a hill. No rollback or foot gymnastics required to get moving. 

 

- When parking – And you switch the ignition off, it automatically applies the Park Brake.  This is a mechanical servo-based system? Rear brakes also.

 

- In both cases you don't need to switch it off or touch anything, just put it in D or R and put your foot down and drive. The system releases the brakes for you at the right time...

 

NOTE about car dynamics, when launching from Auto-hold on a hill is FAR smoother than Park Brake on a hill. Auto-hold releases without any fuss at all. Park brake – the back of the car will dip significantly as the rears release only after significant torque from the engine is applied. It could also be a latency thing? The Park Brake takes longer to unwind compared to the release of the ABS based Auto-Hold. Anyhow, don't panic, positive right foot, bum dips momentarily and you are off.

 

2. Auto-Hold is remembered between ignition cycles.

 

3. Pulling the handbrake switch while moving will do a hard-brake to stop. On the limit of ABS. Releasing it will resume normal driving, it only brakes while you hold it on.

 

4. I still HATE Auto-Stop!

Edited 8 April, 20197 yr by digifish

Auto-hold uses the ABS/ ESC/TC pump to pressurise the brakes, same as pressing the brake pedal (ie all 4 wheels).

Parking brake is an electric motor that winds the rear pads into contact with the disc. Because it is an electric motor that has to start up and run a bit before the brake pads are released, yes it is less “instant” than auto-hold coming off. 

 

Unless up a steep hill, best to momentarily dab the throttle, give 1/2 second for the EPB to release, then press the throttle again, to get a smooth departure.

Edited 9 April, 20197 yr by nicknorman

Thanks nicknorman it is indeed what I surmised. It would be helpful if the manual was clearer about this stuff.