Electronic Handbrake

[Jamie_P]

Hi all,

Is it 100% necessary to use the electric handbrake whilst parked? My dad insists it doesn’t matter if you don’t use it, but I’m worried about the health of his gearbox long-term. I’ve kept trying to tell him to use it but he won’t listen.

[Tadass910]

I use it always

[LeeRS6]

Always use mine, its on auto, I do park on a slope though.

[wildbore]

Your father should google "automatic gearbox parking pawl" and see the small plate and the weak spring that the auto box uses to implement the gearbox "P-Park" function. It is simply a slim metal plate with a small hook on it held in place by a lightweight spring. Then imagine leaving that to hold 2 tonnes of car stationary on a steep hill. And then compare all that to a full handbrake mechanism with shoes and drums on each rear axle (what is the handbrake setup on the RS6? Is it a separate drum, or incorporated into the rear calipers?).
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.

[MikeFish]

Your father should google "automatic gearbox parking pawl" and see the small plate and the weak spring that the auto box uses to implement the gearbox "P-Park" function. It is simply a slim metal plate with a small hook on it held in place by a lightweight spring. Then imagine leaving that to hold 2 tonnes of car stationary on a steep hill. And then compare all that to a full handbrake mechanism with shoes and drums on each rear axle (what is the handbrake setup on the RS6? Is it a separate drum, or incorporated into the rear calipers?).
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.

The C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.

The only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.

[Jamie_P]

Your father should google "automatic gearbox parking pawl" and see the small plate and the weak spring that the auto box uses to implement the gearbox "P-Park" function. It is simply a slim metal plate with a small hook on it held in place by a lightweight spring. Then imagine leaving that to hold 2 tonnes of car stationary on a steep hill. And then compare all that to a full handbrake mechanism with shoes and drums on each rear axle (what is the handbrake setup on the RS6? Is it a separate drum, or incorporated into the rear calipers?).
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.

Thanks for that, now that I have a solid reason he might listen to me.

[DaveBee]

In the US they call it an emergency brake and consequently that's what they use it for. Never for parking. You don't hear of thousands of US claims because they broke their gearbox. Just sayin'

[wildbore]

In the US they call it an emergency brake and consequently that's what they use it for. Never for parking. You don't hear of thousands of US claims because they broke their gearbox. Just sayin'

It's a fair point - but they also put signs on the sides of roads that are steep telling you to park with your wheels pointing hard into the kerb (curb) so that the kerb will stop you when your car rolls off. You don't see that in the UK.

From a point of "mechanical sympathy" have you heard the "bang" you get from your gearbox when you move from Park to Drive on a steep hill if you haven't used your handbrake?

In fairness, the parking pawl will hold in any ordinary circumstances. However, if the vehicle is shunted, the pawl can sheer and let the vehicle roll. A handbrake will continue to grip the vehicle even after it has been shunted. I know where I put my faith!

[Tadass910]

Your father should google "automatic gearbox parking pawl" and see the small plate and the weak spring that the auto box uses to implement the gearbox "P-Park" function. It is simply a slim metal plate with a small hook on it held in place by a lightweight spring. Then imagine leaving that to hold 2 tonnes of car stationary on a steep hill. And then compare all that to a full handbrake mechanism with shoes and drums on each rear axle (what is the handbrake setup on the RS6? Is it a separate drum, or incorporated into the rear calipers?).
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.

The C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.

The only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.

Because of rust?

[MikeFish]

Your father should google "automatic gearbox parking pawl" and see the small plate and the weak spring that the auto box uses to implement the gearbox "P-Park" function. It is simply a slim metal plate with a small hook on it held in place by a lightweight spring. Then imagine leaving that to hold 2 tonnes of car stationary on a steep hill. And then compare all that to a full handbrake mechanism with shoes and drums on each rear axle (what is the handbrake setup on the RS6? Is it a separate drum, or incorporated into the rear calipers?).
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.

The C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.

The only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.

Because of rust?

Yes, otherwise they rust together and make a loud noise when trying to drive off.