VF Electric Handbrake Warning

[Jag530G]

THinking about it a bit more, if the park brake is all linked up with the ABS and ESC than the ABS could still work with the park brake on. If the park brake was on and had locked the rear wheels, but the front wheels were still turning, the ABS sensors would show a difference in wheel velocities and could release the park brake and consequently unlock the rear wheels. In theory the ABS module could (electrically) pulse the park brake to give it anti lock behaviour as well. Don't know if this is how far GM have gone with it.

In a way an electric park brake is a partial step towards electic (non hydraulic) braking.

Cheers, Matthew

[VTSSDUDE]

VF's just keep getting better, you telling me they come out with an "Initiate Drift" button?

[IJ.]

VF's just keep getting better, you telling me they come out with an "Initiate Drift" button?

"Auto Hoon"

[swingtan]

People need to stop and think about what is going on....

The hand / park / emergency brake has a number of requirements,

• preventing the car from rolling when unattended.
• Acting as an emergency brake should an issue with the main braking system arise that prevents normal operation.

these are two, there are probably more...

The operation of the electric brake in the VF appears to be functionally correct. Those thinking it's crazy not to have a lockout above a certain speed should look at the manual "cable" hand brakes in older cars. these still operate at any speed.

I see no issues with the functional operation, but the location of the switch is a poor choice. Placing the switch in a position that was previously used for window operation is simply bad design. It's be a significant improvement if the switch was only active if the main brake pedal was also active. All new Holdens monitor the brake pedal state, it's be very easy to add this switch as a "park brake enabler".

Simon

[gjohnson]

People need to stop and think about what is going on....

The hand / park / emergency brake has a number of requirements,

• preventing the car from rolling when unattended.
• Acting as an emergency brake should an issue with the main braking system arise that prevents normal operation.

these are two, there are probably more...

The operation of the electric brake in the VF appears to be functionally correct. Those thinking it's crazy not to have a lockout above a certain speed should look at the manual "cable" hand brakes in older cars. these still operate at any speed.

I see no issues with the functional operation, but the location of the switch is a poor choice. Placing the switch in a position that was previously used for window operation is simply bad design. It's be a significant improvement if the switch was only active if the main brake pedal was also active. All new Holdens monitor the brake pedal state, it's be very easy to add this switch as a "park brake enabler".

Simon

Couldn't agree more about the position of the switch, if it was on the dash in front of you maybe to the right of the steering wheel near the headlight switch were no kids or other passengers could reach it, it wouldn't be a problem.

[planetdavo]

Engine on, speed above 15 km/h
Action- Lift and hold switch
•If cruise control is on, cruise is disabled
•ESC controlled deceleration down to 6 km/h (4 mph)
•Red tell-tale illuminated
•Brake light applied
•Continuous chime above 15 km/h (9 mph)
•DIC display = Release Park Brake Switch (above 15 km/h (9 mph))
•EPB static apply below 6 km/h (4 mph)
•DIC display = Park Brake Set
•Red tell-tale remains illuminated

Engine ON, speed above 15 km/h (9 mph)
Action- Lift and hold switch for several seconds
-ESC controlled stop releases when switch is released. Tell-tale, brake light, chime and DIC go off after brief delay

Engine ON, speed between 6–15 km/h (4–9 mph)
Action- Lift and hold switch
•ESC controlled deceleration down to 6 km/h (4 mph)
•Red tell-tale illuminated
•Brake light applied
•No chime during vehicle motion
•No DIC message during vehicle motion
•EPB static apply below 6 km/h (4 mph)
•DIC display = Park Brake Set
•Red tell-tale remains illuminated

[planetdavo]

I will add that VF uses a switch location and EPB operation similar to many other cars with this modern style of handbrake.
It is perhaps a good time to remind people that they "should" become familiar with the car they are driving BEFORE they start driving it, rather than just making assumptions that all cars "are the same".

[Alex(AUS)]

This sounds quite scary. My wife did also lift the electronic brake switch in her VW Tiguan while I was driving at around 20km/h .... it also does work just like pulling the handbrake full up instantly. The bad thing is that she had lots of stuff on the centre console and accidentally did it while lifting some of it off. I cant bring myself to think what would happen at speed with kids playing with it ... It would be good to get some proper detail about how this works.

Alex

[C4B]

My old Disco3 deactivated the electric handbrake above 10km/h.

If you had a brake failure, holding the switch up for an extended period would slowly activate the handbrake so you could still stop in a controlled fashion.

The Holden system sounds like a class action suit waiting to happen ;-)

[planetdavo]

This sounds quite scary. My wife did also lift the electronic brake switch in her VW Tiguan while I was driving at around 20km/h .... it also does work just like pulling the handbrake full up instantly. The bad thing is that she had lots of stuff on the centre console and accidentally did it while lifting some of it off. I cant bring myself to think what would happen at speed with kids playing with it ... It would be good to get some proper detail about how this works.

Alex

End of the day it is no different to a person in a car with an "old school" handbrake lever pulling the handbrake lever on whilst the car is being driven...
I posted the info above about the way it operates so that people are in no doubt about what speeds and button usage is required, and what actions will follow. For most "accidental" situations in a VF, the bit below will apply, and most importantly, WILL CEASE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN as soon as the button is released...
Engine ON, speed above 15 km/h (9 mph)
Action- Lift and hold switch for several seconds
-ESC controlled stop releases when switch is released. Tell-tale, brake light, chime and DIC go off after brief delay
Hence, normality will return, just as if the handbrake lever is released in an older car.

[cfour]

It would be handy if a warning chime is given say 4-5sec before the handbrake is activated when travelling over 15kms, but I do realise in an emergency you really don't want a delay before it applies.

On a test drive, I also noticed if you leave the handbrake on and drive off it releases automatically.

[sbmk1982]

Hi people
Been there .. done that ! ... same scenario in the carpark ...went to wind down the window to open the garage and came to an abrupt halt ;/
Steve

[VNV8]

how the hell would the car now you were about to apply the handbrake?

[cfour]

how the hell would the car now you were about to apply the handbrake?

Obviously, once you pull the button up, give you a quick warning chime and then apply the brake, when travelling over 15km.

[XLR8 V8]

Obviously, once you pull the button up, give you a quick warning chime and then apply the brake, when travelling over 15km.

Or the chime could be replaced with a voice that says "Really? The handbrake at this speed? OOOOOK then, better grab a hold of something" **screeech**