Electric Handbrake wouldn’t auto release

[Chriss27]

For the second time since having the car since new the auto handbrake would  not release when I pressed the accelerator.

I was waiting at red traffic lights for a few mins with handbrake on and then when it was ready to go the car would not remove.

In the panic I didn’t have time to think straight but in the end I had to manually release by pressing the handbrake button. Some message came up on the display as the car got going but did not pay it too much thought as was just happy to get away. It was something like ESP active but tbh not sure how accurate I am with this. Any ideas what caused this. TIA

[RabButler]

The message was probably EPB active. The brake hold function is time limited and will then automatically apply the Electronic Parking Brake. There may be certain conditions when it requires manual intervention to release it, rather than just pressing the accelerator.

[Chriss27]

That was the message thanks, oh ok never knew about the time issue

[Cyker]

If you use the brake hold like I do and are stationary for too long, it will tell you to press the brake pedal, but if you don't it will switch from brake hold to EPB, but it's very very noticeable when it does this as the car will lurch forward as the electric motor switches on to fight against the EPB.

As soon as you touch the accelerator the EPB should automatically disengage tho', so that's really weird if yours didn't; I've yet to find a way to force the EPB to stay on while I'm pressing the accelerator.

Do you usually use the EPB in Drive while stationary to hold the car?

I only ever use the EPB in P(ark) mode as I don't like the car straining against the EPB when it's engaged, like it does in D(rive) mode, and have it set to automatically engage/disengage when I put it into/take it out of P.

 

[Dylanfan]

13 hours ago, Cyker said:

If you use the brake hold like I do and are stationary for too long, it will tell you to press the brake pedal, but if you don't it will switch from brake hold to EPB, but it's very very noticeable when it does this as the car will lurch forward as the electric motor switches on to fight against the EPB.

As soon as you touch the accelerator the EPB should automatically disengage tho', so that's really weird if yours didn't; I've yet to find a way to force the EPB to stay on while I'm pressing the accelerator.

Do you usually use the EPB in Drive while stationary to hold the car?

I only ever use the EPB in P(ark) mode as I don't like the car straining against the EPB when it's engaged, like it does in D(rive) mode, and have it set to automatically engage/disengage when I put it into/take it out of P.

 

Never had the park brake stick/stay on. But as above, I have mine set to activate when in Park. I also have had the warning when I’ve been in “hold” for to long. Sounds like a fault, have a word with your local dealer.

[BazzerH]

On 11/9/2022 at 9:05 PM, Cyker said:

If you use the brake hold like I do and are stationary for too long, it will tell you to press the brake pedal, but if you don't it will switch from brake hold to EPB, but it's very very noticeable when it does this as the car will lurch forward as the electric motor switches on to fight against the EPB.

As soon as you touch the accelerator the EPB should automatically disengage tho', so that's really weird if yours didn't; I've yet to find a way to force the EPB to stay on while I'm pressing the accelerator.

Do you usually use the EPB in Drive while stationary to hold the car?

I only ever use the EPB in P(ark) mode as I don't like the car straining against the EPB when it's engaged, like it does in D(rive) mode, and have it set to automatically engage/disengage when I put it into/take it out of P.

 

there is a way in which to have the EPB not release when the accelerator is pressed, its how my local garage test the handbrake for taxi test/mot, 

the way to do it is whilst sat in drivers seat with car switched on, fasten your selt belt, put the car into Drive, apply the EPB, then unclick your seat belt, press the accelerator and the car will try to move forward without releasing the EPB

[Talking Hoarse]

2 hours ago, BazzerH said:

there is a way in which to have the EPB not release when the accelerator is pressed, its how my local garage test the handbrake for taxi test/mot, 

the way to do it is whilst sat in drivers seat with car switched on, fasten your selt belt, put the car into Drive, apply the EPB, then unclick your seat belt, press the accelerator and the car will try to move forward without releasing the EPB

Interesting thank you.  Might this be a way of cleaning the rear brake discs when they are older and rusty? 

Just a thought as rear discs (and so pads too) are often replaced early in life as they corrode from such little use.  

[Cyker]

On 11/10/2022 at 10:42 AM, Dylanfan said:

Never had the park brake stick/stay on. But as above, I have mine set to activate when in Park. I also have had the warning when I’ve been in “hold” for to long. Sounds like a fault, have a word with your local dealer.

It's not a fault - it's a safety thing.

The brake hold will not 'fail safe' as it uses the hydraulics to hold the brakes - If the hydraulics fail, you lose your brakes.

The EPB uses a motor-driven screw clamp to lock the back wheels; Once it's engaged, even if the car's electrics fail, the rear wheels will not be released, thus it 'fails safe'.

 

5 hours ago, BazzerH said:

there is a way in which to have the EPB not release when the accelerator is pressed, its how my local garage test the handbrake for taxi test/mot, 

the way to do it is whilst sat in drivers seat with car switched on, fasten your selt belt, put the car into Drive, apply the EPB, then unclick your seat belt, press the accelerator and the car will try to move forward without releasing the EPB

Interesting! I'll have to try that... in a safe place!

[TonyHSD]

4 hours ago, Talking Houbik said:

Interesting thank you.  Might this be a way of cleaning the rear brake discs when they are older and rusty? 

Just a thought as rear discs (and so pads too) are often replaced early in life as they corrode from such little use.  

This way you will only make the things worse. If the rear discs doesn’t clean themselves after few hundred miles then they need to be cleaned by hand, brakes striped and cleaned plus lubed the slider pins with silicone grease. 
Best way to clean brakes with stops is to do few continuous braking from 60-20 mph  and repeat., exiting the motorway is great for that. No need a lots of stopping power but continues pads-discs friction., like a lathe machine.