Electronic handbrake

[faisal_16]

So I picked my car up this morning and I absolutely love it.

However, I'm having an issue with the handbrake. When it's applied, from what I've been told and read in the manual, I should be able to drive off as usual and it will release - is that right?

More often than not, when I try and do this, the handbrake does not release and I have to put my foot on the brake and release the handbrake via the button.

Can someone please tell me if I'm being thick, and what I should be doing, or if it sounds like there is a fault on the car?

I will call my dealer in the morning but I really don't want to get stuck on a hill before then!

Thanks

 

[Peterdona]

I was aware that the handbrake auto release as you pull away but can't confirm as I'm 2 weeks away from picking my vehicle up

 

[Gordo77]

Hmmm seen this myself... I think it depends if you have your seatbelt on or not...?

 

[faisal_16]

Hmm, my seatbelt was on at all times. Got stuck at traffic lights a few times faffing with the button!

 

[Gordo77]

I wonder whether you need to have it in gear...?

 

[hittchy]

Yes - it should release automatically as long as your seatbelt is on. Try putting your foot on the foot brake first before pulling away. The Passat used to be temperamental to that. Mine releases every time but I may have got into a routine now as the A3 is the third car I've had with one.

 

[faisal_16]

Mine doesn't release with the car at biting point to the point that you feel the whole car lurching forward

Strange thing is, it doesn't do it all the time with :S

 

[Gordo77]

Mine has only ever given the message after starting the car and attempting to drive off, never in traffic or when auto stop/start activates... hmmmm

 

[faisal_16]

So when your moving off after having the handbrake on, you just drive without touching the button?

 

[deci]

Mine has only ever given the message after starting the car and attempting to drive off, never in traffic or when auto stop/start activates... hmmmm

x2 When starting from cold I often have to brake and release (sometimes not), but when at traffic or temporarily stopped I have no issue just driving off.

 

[Gordo77]

Yes, exactly. If I stop in traffic and auto stop/start kills the engine, I apply the parking brake by hand, and when I go to move off, I don't need to touch the button - it releases fine automatically.

 

[hittchy]

So when your moving off after having the handbrake on, you just drive without touching the button?

Yes.

In fact, I'm just going to go out for a quick spin to see if I'm doing anything different!

 

[Gordo77]

Take a wee video!

 

[faisal_16]

Ok great, thanks guys. Useful as ever!

As suspected, it seems there might be something wrong with mine. Will call my dealer first thing in the morning (not sure if they're even open)

 

[Gordo77]

Hmmm worth having a quick look in the manual to see what it says about the parking brake? You might be doing something to trigger the need to press the brake, can't think what tho!!

 

[dieseldoug]

HANDBRAKE OPERATION

I felt this problem also BUT if you increase the RPM (slightly) as you are pulling away the brake will release all the time. I did not do this at first and the same problems you are seeing at present.
The system will be looking at you needing to pull away hence the increase in RPM, brake should just release quickly.

This has never failed since the throttle pedal is activated.

Hope this helps..

 

[WingoWango]

As above. Just feather the throttle and a touch of the clutch and you will see the park break release. Works absolutely brilliantly! A feature I have never had before and love it.

 

[mjc]

Agreed, the trick is to give a slight amount of revs when pulling away, releases every time. My other tip, rather than look to the illuminated 'P' on the handbrake button to see if it has released, just keep an eye on the illuminated 'P' in the electronic display between the rev/speedo dials, as soon as you give a slight amount of revs and get to the biting point on the clutch the illuminated 'P' will go out and you're good to go.

 

[mjcourtney]

I've been having this issue too. Sometimes releases when I apply throttle and lift clutch. Other times it refuses to release no matter how much acceleration I give it - to the point where it pulls forward even with the handbrake still engaged. Seatbelt on in all cases.

I was figuring it has something to do with whether I'm stopped on a hill, but as yet I'm still to figure out the logic behind the auto-release. Handbook is lacking in instructions.

 

[Gordo77]

I've been having this issue too. Sometimes releases when I apply throttle and lift clutch. Other times it refuses to release no matter how much acceleration I give it - to the point where it pulls forward even with the handbrake still engaged. Seatbelt on in all cases.

I was figuring it has something to do with whether I'm stopped on a hill, but as yet I'm still to figure out the logic behind the auto-release. Handbook is lacking in instructions.

But do you get the message on the DIS telling you to apply footbrake before releasing parking brake?

 

[mjcourtney]

Nope, no messages on the DIS

 

[Gordo77]

Hmmm anything to do with whether auto stop/start has activated maybe...?

 

[mjcourtney]

Could be. I have some time to play around tomorrow so will try a few scenarios and see if I can figure it out. I don't think its faulty, but it would be useful to know the factors that disable the auto-release

 

[Gordo77]

Mine has only ever shown the message on the DIS about applying the footbrake after starting the car and attempting to drive off. Every other time it automatically disengages fine. Definitely good to know the conditions that need to be met to release it though!

 

[Zig]

When I had a test drive I am sure the salesman told me that after starting the engine you had to manually release the handbrake the first time on moving off but that thereafter it automatically released.

 

[WingoWango]

You do not need to manually release after starting the engine. If you're on a bit of an incline it has to have enough throttle and clutch to hold before it will release. The only time It wont auto release for me is when i do not have my seat belt on. Hopefully you manage to figure it out as it works a treat.

 

[faisal_16]

I've been having this issue too. Sometimes releases when I apply throttle and lift clutch. Other times it refuses to release no matter how much acceleration I give it - to the point where it pulls forward even with the handbrake still engaged. Seatbelt on in all cases.

I was figuring it has something to do with whether I'm stopped on a hill, but as yet I'm still to figure out the logic behind the auto-release. Handbook is lacking in instructions.

Exactly the same for me. Hopefully we are doing something wrong! I've got a feeling it might be to do with having auto stop / start switched off but will have another play this morning. Glad I'm not the only one with same problem

 

[mjc]

I also recall reading in another Audi thread (may of been A4) that to ensure you fully engage the clutch pedal (i.e push as far as the travel will allow when engaging 1st (or reverse) gear when preparing to pull off. Not sure if this will help, but possibly worth testing.

 

[faisal_16]

So I've done 150 miles today with auto start / stop left on and I've had no issues with the handbrake. Not sure what was going on yesterday but all seems to be well now!

 

[mjcourtney]

Seemed to behave itself today. It disengages 1st time after starting the engine. The only time it didn't was when I left the car with the ignition on, and then came back to it. The DIS instructed me to push the foot brake first (understandable!).

Will keep an eye on it.

 

[Gordo77]

Seemed to behave itself today. It disengages 1st time after starting the engine. The only time it didn't was when I left the car with the ignition on, and then came back to it. The DIS instructed me to push the foot brake first (understandable!).

Will keep an eye on it.

Maybe because you opened the door...?

 

[Vertigo1]

Mine works fine 99% of the time but, on a few odd occasions it hasn't released when trying to pull away. A second attempt gets it though. Might be that I'm not revving the engine enough so will try experimenting a bit I think.

 

[mjcourtney]

Seemed to behave itself today. It disengages 1st time after starting the engine. The only time it didn't was when I left the car with the ignition on, and then came back to it. The DIS instructed me to push the foot brake first (understandable!).

Will keep an eye on it.

Maybe because you opened the door...?

Yep, I'm assuming that was the reason in this case.

 

[selar]

I'm trying to figure out the logic behind the seat-belt restriction. I know that you don't want an automatic brake-release kicking in when you're not ready to drive, but I can't imagine a situation where someone has the car at bite point with their feet without being aware enough of what they're doing to cope with the release of the brake. It caught me out a few times moving the car around the driveway when I wouldn't normally put on a seatbelt.

(P.S. I know you can disengage it manually without your seat belt on.)