VF Commodore Electric handbrake could cause a problem...

[C4B]

The electric park brake in my old Dicovery had a manual override for disengaging it. You pulled a decorative panel off behind the switch to do it.

[C4B]

Can anyone explain to me the benefits of replacing a lever, cable and simple ratching mechanism with a complicated electrical system to perform the same job? is pulling the hand brake lever that taxing that we need the car to do it for us?

It's like comparing manual and electric windows....

[Ausmartin1]

Hey Martin on the volt is it like some euros where if you open the door with the car off it activates automatically. Also does it disengage automatically when you apply throttle.

No it's doesn't activate automatically on door open - I park inside garage and I glad it doesn't bother to do that.
However It is too clever ....
I put car into service mode to shut it down in Neutral - so I could on the hoist clean the wheels easier and the bugger went oh you want to leave me in Neutral powered down........
as I hear it applying the park brake LOL!

I believe it is designed to disengage the park brake upon throttle ( haven't tried that feature myself yet - but One day I will forget)

Cheers,
Martin

[macca_779]

No it's doesn't activate automatically on door open - I park inside garage and I glad it doesn't bother to do that.
However It is too clever ....
I put car into service mode to shut it down in Neutral - so I could on the hoist clean the wheels easier and the bugger went oh you want to leave me in Neutral powered down........
as I hear it applying the park brake LOL!

I believe it is designed to disengage the park brake upon throttle ( haven't tried that feature myself yet - but One day I will forget)

Cheers,
Martin

Yeah cool I figured it would be automatic in one way or another. It's like all cars I've driven with them. You never actually have to touch the button as it knows to apply when you shut it off and disengages when you proceed.

[kevin101]

Can anyone explain to me the benefits of replacing a lever, cable and simple ratching mechanism with a complicated electrical system to perform the same job? is pulling the hand brake lever that taxing that we need the car to do it for us?

simpler to install (less adjustments), weigh less, cost less, auto release on acceleration, some auto engage when the car is stopped, won't lock up the rear wheels when used as an emergency, work with your ABS, easier to apply (no guessing if its tight enough), theres probably more but I'm not in the mood to think too hard at the moment.

[Ausmartin1]

On early US Volts you had special screw driver to release the mechanism from the boot, They did away with this easy way of last resort as the system proved to be very reliable.

It's like all things 707 had control by wire = long wires can stretch/wear break vs now fly by wire with multiple backup system in your Airbus or Boeings, technology always filters down, because some where it has benefits for the designer /reliability and consumers..

[Jac001]

simpler to install (less adjustments), weigh less, cost less, auto release on acceleration, some auto engage when the car is stopped, won't lock up the rear wheels when used as an emergency, work with your ABS, easier to apply (no guessing if its tight enough), theres probably more but I'm not in the mood to think too hard at the moment.

And takes up less space on the centre console and and looks much nicer than the current VE handbrake.

[Xjas]

simpler to install (less adjustments), weigh less, cost less.

Have you seen an article or similar from a manufacturer that states these things? I was under the impression the brake mechanism was the same, just that it was electronically acutated by a stepper motor or something similar, if thats the case I cant see the system being any simpler, lighter or cheaper than a mechanical system. The rest of you points seem fair enough though.

[Dieselman]

Actually another question is if these cars have electric steering and you have a flat battery, can you steer the car at all, I assume not. Of course power steering cars are very difficult to steer without the engine running, but you can get some wheel movement, I assume there would be no steering until you get some power after startup, or is it electrically power assisted and similar behaviour to normal power steer cars if the engine isn't running?

The car will still have a mechanical link in the steering even if it is power assisted. It is a ADR requirement so if you have a failure you will still be able to steer the car albeit with a bit greater effort

[kevin101]

Have you seen an article or similar from a manufacturer that states these things? I was under the impression the brake mechanism was the same, just that it was electronically acutated by a stepper motor or something similar, if thats the case I cant see the system being any simpler, lighter or cheaper than a mechanical system. The rest of you points seem fair enough though.

Yep read a bit about them a few months back, wasn't too sure about purchasing a new Captiva for the wife with one since I've never knew anything about them. Turns out unless you want to use the hand brake for anything other than it's actual purpose they are great. A quick and you'll find plenty of information about them.

[redvxr8clubby]

Can anyone explain to me the benefits of replacing a lever, cable and simple ratching mechanism with a complicated electrical system to perform the same job? is pulling the hand brake lever that taxing that we need the car to do it for us?

Compared to a VE, you get a handbrake that can be easily disengaged by press of a button. My other half absolutely hates the VE handbrake. If I've engaged it as normal, she probably won't be able to release it. If I know she will need to drive it, I have to be careful to make sure I only engage it very lightly. The VE handbrake is the worst I can recall in 40 years of driving cars. My daughter also has a VE, doesn't like the handbrake either, doesn't do Holden any favours if half the population hates the handbrake. I would say to some buyers, the electric handbrake will be a selling point of the VF.

[Woodchukka]

simpler to install (less adjustments), weigh less, cost less, auto release on acceleration, some auto engage when the car is stopped, won't lock up the rear wheels when used as an emergency, work with your ABS, easier to apply (no guessing if its tight enough), theres probably more but I'm not in the mood to think too hard at the moment.

Guessing if the hand brake is tight enough? Pull it on and take your foot off the brake. If the car doesn't move hey presto it is tight enough. The electric park brake is only going to be a problem if it can't be released manually. Tow truck driver I spoke with the other day has persuaded some cars with electric park brakes onto the back of his truck. If you have an electric park brake I would ask someone how to manually disengage it in case you need to.

[jboy21]

anything non electric these days is a sin apparently. Someone the other day was complaining that some car (could have been commodore) didnt have electric headrests. the horror...

[Angeldust]

Can anyone explain to me the benefits of replacing a lever, cable and simple ratching mechanism with a complicated electrical system to perform the same job? is pulling the hand brake lever that taxing that we need the car to do it for us?

its cause of the 'Jones's' next door....

[swingtan]

Let's see.....

Power is needed to run the ECM, BCM, Fuel pump, injectors and you still need power to enable the alternator to start working.

If there's not enough battery power to run all of the above, there's no use worrying about trying to get the hand brake to release. If there's enough power to run the above, there's enough power to release the hand brake, though maybe not enough to crank.

Simon.

Oh, and as for changing the lever out, that would be due to it being the most ugly part of any car that's ever been made....