Electronic Parking Brake in Golf 7

[Digger11]

According to the ever reliable (for a given value of reliable) source of Top Gear (TV), you can't use an electronic handbrake on a Bentley for handbrake turns on a rally stage

Thanks i'll keep that in mind for the next Rally i enter.
The electric brake does work as an emergency though, but i dont have a complete brake failure most weeks.

[Captain Courteous]

The electric brake does work as an emergency though, but i dont have a complete brake failure most weeks.

Were you in an emergency situation where you needed to use it? How did it perform vs a traditional handbrake? Once you click the switch up, do all the brakes apply or is it just the rears?

Also, what happens if you have a dead battery and need to release the brake?

[wai]

What we all refer to as a handbrake or emergency brake is a parking brake as far as the ADRs are concerned. As far as the ADRs are concerned, It has one use only, and that is to stop the vehicle from moving when parked. This change happened when the ARDs required dual circuit braking systems to be provided on new vehicles. With two isolated braking circuits, the argument went along the lines of what was the chance that both circuits would be damaged and fail. As a result, the handbrake was seen as redundant when it came to being a backup emergency brake and renamed a parking brake.

Interesting thing is that to get a "pink slip" in NSW (roadworthy certificate) in NSW, the tester must stop the vehicle from a set speed using the handbrake only...sorry parking brake.

The issue with what we have on VWs now is that the braking system is operated in a way that was never envisaged when the rules were written. Yes, the braking system can be activated to hold the vehicle on a hill with the foot brake off for a period of from 2 seconds through to 3 minutes depending on what VW call it. Then, the brakes will release immediately and the clutch engagement procedure will commence when either accelerator position has changed or according to a programmed transition sequence depending on what VW call it.

So the next question. Does an electronic parking brake operate fia the hydraulics or is ot simply an electronic way of operating a mechanical cable operated braking system? If the vehicle is in motion will it lock the wheels or will ABS kick in and prevent wheel locking?

[Ryan_R]

Surely there must be a video of a car journo testing this out somewhere...

[Ryan_R]

Ok have found some videos that might give a little more understanding on how it works:


MY10 Passat with EPB. You need VCDS or similar tool in order to change the parking brake pads (not sure you'd wear them out that quickly though... or are they the same as the normal brake pads?)

Usage video with safety features:

I can't find anything on what happens if you try to enable the parking brake while in motion.

[wai]

The videos explain a few things, but I have to say that my initial views that the electronic park brake was to save some weight is out the window.

I can also see the differences between the "hill hold" and "hill hold assist". My Caddy has Hill Hold which operates on the hydraulics, and this is why it releases instantly as soon as accelerator position change is detected. The Hill Hold Assist uses the electric motor actuated parking brake and the release of the brake is more progressive compared to the instant hydraulic pressure release.

[Lem2808]

Electronic Hand Brake

Has anyone tried or accidentally tried to see what it does while the car is in motion? Some say nothing happens while some say it stops the car.


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[jets]

I don't have a mk7 Golf but a Tiguan with an electronic hand brake. In the owners manual it says that the electronic brake can be used in an emergency if the foot brake fails. Maybe check your owners manual.

[DV52]

Has anyone tried or accidentally tried to see what it does while the car is in motion? Some say nothing happens while some say it stops the car.


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Lem2808: My 103TSI is the first car that I have owned with an electric hand brake (still not sure if I like it). Anyhow, I have an unfortunate habbit of fidgetting when I drive (something I need to stop doing). When I first got my Golf I accidentally "flicked" the hand brake button whilst the car was in motion. The switch was only on for a fraction of a second, but the car definately wasn't happy! When I got home after the incident, I check for error codes with my VCDS cable and I found that the ABS controller had registered an error. I reset the error and I have had no problems ever since then.

[team_v]

From what i have heard it will not activate if you are going more than 30km/h.
aving said that i haven't tried it in the Tig yet.

[Diesel_vert]

In principle, I think the driver should be able to engage the handbrake, whether it be applied manually or electronically, in any emergency.

At speed, I'm guessing if you hold the switch long enough (as opposed to a brief flick, which the car should dismiss as unintended) it will engage - though obviously, it won't be good for the car.

Having said that, precisely how the e-brake functions may be slightly different for each manufacturer. What does the vehicle handbook say on the matter?

[DV52]

In principle, I think the driver should be able to engage the handbrake, whether it be applied manually or electronically, in any emergency.

At speed, I'm guessing if you hold the switch long enough (as opposed to a brief flick, which the car should dismiss as unintended) it will engage - though obviously, it won't be good for the car.

Having said that, precisely how the e-brake functions may be slightly different for each manufacturer. What does the vehicle handbook say on the matter?

Diesel_vert: Just read the manual (as you suggested). Got the following quote

"The electronic parking brake switches off automatically when the vehicle pulls away provided that the driver's door is closed and the driver seat belt has been fastened" - on page 184

It's a lttle off-topic, but has anyone actually had this happen? I can't recall this happening to me. I always have to disengage the parking brake manually (using the switch) before I move (regardless of whether I have the seat belt on, or off)

From what i have heard it will not activate if you are going more than 30km/h.
aving said that i haven't tried it in the Tig yet.

team_v: definately not the case for the mk7. According to the manual, the electronic parking brake can be used in an emergency (although I would guess that when used this way, things inside the cabin would get mighty interesting!).

[Snail Style]

Yup it is an emergency brake and will pull you up very quickly from 100km/h if held for more than 3 seconds. The parking brake will disengage itself if you have seat belt fastened, drivers door closed and go to take off in D or R, otherwise it will remain on.

[veew]

It's a lttle off-topic, but has anyone actually had this happen? I can't recall this happening to me. I always have to disengage the parking brake manually (using the switch) before I move (regardless of whether I have the seat belt on, or off)

I've found a few times the e-brake automatically deactivates when i forget to turn it off, enter D and press the accelerator.

[Diesel_vert]

Yup it is an emergency brake and will pull you up very quickly from 100km/h if held for more than 3 seconds.

If that is truly the case, then be mindful of where you (and your passenger) rest your arms and hands!

As one would with any car, naturally.