Hill Start Assist on manual Golf

[Flipper Dog]

Does anyone know if it is possible to add hill start assist (HSA) on a manual Golf ?
I have a early 2010 without this feature (missed out on it being standard by that much...)
What is involved to get it up and running, hardware parts or is it just a coding to activate the braking system ?
I have not approached the dealer as yet but thought I would seek advice from the forum first, if at all it is possible and within a reasonable price.

[Ranga]

Clutch and handbrake, nothing else needed!

[AdamD]

Does anyone know if it is possible to add hill start assist (HSA) on a manual Golf ?
I have a early 2010 without this feature (missed out on it being standard by that much...)
What is involved to get it up and running, hardware parts or is it just a coding to activate the braking system ?

I doubt that it's software only (or, at least, able to be enabled with VCDS alone). It's listed in my car's build sheet from erWin, as UG4 (Hill hold control + comfort driving assist).

[SuperHans]

you could go for a less subtle, but purely mechanical approach-

a could of hinges and some strong metal bars that automatically fold out thanks to gravity, and then fold back in from the motion of the car going forward - a bit like:



although I haven't really thought it through too far....

[Idle]

you could go for a less subtle, but purely mechanical approach-

a could of hinges and some strong metal bars that automatically fold out thanks to gravity, and then fold back in from the motion of the car going forward - a bit like:



although I haven't really thought it through too far....

No need to think it through — such things actually did exist about a hundred years ago — they were called 'sprags' and were more efficient than handbrakes at the time. Nor were they a new idea — horse-drawn vehicles had them for centuries.

They were officially frowned upon because of the damage they did to the road surface.

I remember seeing them described as an after-market accessory in an English motoring book I had over 70 years ago.

[Capercat]

Does anyone know if it is possible to add hill start assist (HSA) on a manual Golf ?
I have a early 2010 without this feature (missed out on it being standard by that much...)
What is involved to get it up and running, hardware parts or is it just a coding to activate the braking system ?
I have not approached the dealer as yet but thought I would seek advice from the forum first, if at all it is possible and within a reasonable price.

I believe HSA only activates when the car is on a 5 degrees incline or above. I can only imagine the use of a mercury switch will be required somewhere within the circuitry.

[Ryan_R]

I have a DSG with HSA and find that on any steep hills (i.e. my driveway, or the exit ramp to a carpark where you have to stop and swipe to open the gate), I end up using the handbrake in any case, just as you would with a manual. I only trust HSA on smaller slopes where the risk associated with the lack of predictability isn't too great. I tend to get off the brake a tad early in anticipation so that the DSG kicks in, only to find the driver in front of me is in lala-land, and then the 2.5 seconds (or whatever it is) are up and the car rolls backs, followed by a quick brake/jerk, followed by another jerk when the other guy finally moves off, and I've quickly got off the brake back onto the accelerator without that anticipatory wait...

Of course, that situation rarely happens, but it goes to show HSA isn't perfect for all situations. =)

[Frankenstrat]

Hill starts are easy to perfect, just practice where there are no other vehicles around to cause you to get flustered.
1) Depress clutch
2) Select 1st gear
3) Hold handbrake with the release button pressed
4) Apply gentle pressure to the throttle and gently release the clutch until you feel the nose of the car lift slightly
5) Release the handbrake, and at the same time...
6) Gently apply more throttle
7) Practice it again and again until it's second nature

I used to live up in the hills overlooking Perth, you HAVE to be able to get your hill starts right!

[Tom_R]

I have used a manual car for 20 years. I would rarely use hill starts with handbrake unless on steep ramp to car park with slow moving traffic.
General road conditions I have found no need to use handbrakes.
After having my manual R in Sydney traffic for last 2 months, I find HSA a pleasing addition to the car. Did need time to get used to it initially but now i am so used to it and loving it.

[Corey_R]

Same here Tom_R, my handbrake in my Polo GTI only got used for parking...

[pologti18t]

Same here Tom_R, my handbrake in my Polo GTI only got used for parking...

True, a half competent drivers should be able to do a hill start, in a manual car, without the handbrake.

[joedevola]

True, but if in an unfamiliar vehicle, I go back to the basic technique described above until I am comfortable with the throttle and clutch response.

[SuperHans]

True, but if in an unfamiliar vehicle, I go back to the basic technique described above until I am comfortable with the throttle and clutch response.

+1
Don't go showing off - infact the manual actually states that you should never hold a hill start with the clutch....

[Corey_R]

Definitely don't hold a hill with the clutch, but there really ain't any holding if you have the technique down-pat.

I agree that using the handbrake in a new car or a friends car etc makes a lot of sense. It takes a while to get used to a different clutch etc

[Flipper Dog]

Okay that will do on hand brake starts etc...reason I have inquired about HSA, car is parked in steep driveway. Car no.2 has it as a feature and works very well in that you don't even need to manually apply handbrake. Getting tied of reefing on handbrake to get out and close garage door (and before someone comes up about it NO I don't plan on getting an automatic garage door!)
Call me lazy but if the feature is available for a small cost post factory then excuse me for showing some interest.