Electronic Handbrake
Electronic Handbrake
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.
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.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
I use it always
Re: Electronic Handbrake
Always use mine, its on auto, I do park on a slope though.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
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.
You would have to be mad - or an American citizen - not to use the handbrake whenever the car is stationary.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
The C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.wildbore wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:06 amYour 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 only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
Thanks for that, now that I have a solid reason he might listen to me.wildbore wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:06 amYour 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.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
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'
David
Re: Electronic Handbrake
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!
Re: Electronic Handbrake
Because of rust?MikeFish wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 10:48 amThe C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.wildbore wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:06 amYour 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 only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.
Re: Electronic Handbrake
Yes, otherwise they rust together and make a loud noise when trying to drive off.Tadass910 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:39 amBecause of rust?MikeFish wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 10:48 amThe C7 has the electronic hand brake incorporated into the main rear caliper.wildbore wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:06 amYour 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 only time I don't use the handbrake is after washing the car and parking it back in my level garage.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 172 guests