Electro-mechanical parking brake

[clio222]

starting to wish I had never purchased what was supposed to be my pride and joy, anyway he goes.

Audi A4(59 plate) with EPB parked in driveway which has slight incline, EPB switched on press clutch and select 1st gear or reverse gear depending on how vehicle is parked, depress accelerator lift clutch and hay presto EPB releases however not enough power to drive up slope and the car rolls back hairy stuff. Surley the vehicle should not release until it is at the biting point and hold allowing more throttle.

What I need to do to be on the safe side is extra throttle just in case not enough, wife now refusing to drive the car after a couple of near misses into the garage door.

is this a fault with the vehicle, can it be adjusted or is it just one of these things that the driver needs to master. Im dreading coming to a stop on a step slope just how much throttle is needed god knows it would appear an accident awaiting to happen, surley this can't be right

Anyone else came across this, should I contact the garage Thanks

[MFGF]

That sounds rather dangerous to me! The parking brake should auto release at the biting point of the clutch. The only time I have experienced an issue like yours is when I tried to pull away on a slope in neutral!

Cheers!

MF.


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[thescouselander]

Yes, i know what you mean - the hand brake can be a bit tricky if the slope is steep enough, especially if you need to reverse up the slope. I suggest giving the engine a few more RPM and bring the clutch up a bit faster.

[J_B204]

Got to say I've never had that sort of problem, the brake has always released appropriately.

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

[clio222]

Anybody else have this issue ????
This is what the manual states" When driving away on a gradient, the parking brake auto release function prevents the vehicle from rolling back unintentionally.The braking force of the parking brake is only released when there is enough power at the wheels to make the vehicke move in the desired direction". Unfortunately I have found this not to be the case as I have on sevreral ocassions rolled forward/back.

[ScottyUK]

I've always been impressed with pulling away on the gradients. No roll back at all. Sounds like summat's not right on the OP's car.

[a8 tech]

it would be advisable to spec hill hold assist for this driving style or adapt your driving to the basic function of epb

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6530268075_078a1eeb25_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33525279@N04/6530268075/)
ScreenShot002 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33525279@N04/6530268075/) by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/33525279@N04/]

if this doesn't answer your query then please try a similar vehicle in the same manor to compare if driver error

owners handbooks are not specific to the equipment fitted to each model and more of a guide than actual factual technical operation

if clutch slip is occurring then this will impact the epb operation, please state the gradient of the incline and rpm at the actual time via data logging with vcds also add abs log file and brake and clutch position mvbs

for a more accurate diagnosis if at all any is needed

for the mean time please take care as with most problems like this it becomes in bedded in the owners mind that there is a defect and only by like for like comparison will this be resolved

also try a vehicle with hill hold assist and you will see the benefits of the system over the standard system

ultimately safety or comfort features are there to asisit and you the driver are the over ride so you are in control when reversing up the gradient not the epb

[MFGF]

Mine works exactly as the manual describes.


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[a8 tech]

It will function as intended as long as the operator controls the vehicle accordingly

Epb need speed input, seat belt engagement, clutch and brake switch status and inclination signal

As it operates in this case then fails it suggests driver error but without any live data its speculation and having dealt with similar customer complaints it tends to be the operator not the vehicle hence I mention test like for like before moving on to possible causes

I have myself put the suggestion of operator error forward and maybe this is incorrect however it must be considered

[ScottyUK]

I guess the fact that enough torque for forward movement only has to be there for a moment and then once it's disengaged it could quite easily roll back could easily suggest that.

I'd assummed that the posted would have ensured that wasn't the case but I have to agree it's the most likely.

[John140]

My EPB works flawlessly on my 2010 Avant, so far I have never been able to catch it out.

[clio222]

thank you all for the replies much appreciated, as the first post mentions " is it just one of these things that the driver needs to master " perhaps this is the case, as most stated the EPB releases after forward/back movement just thought it a little strange that once this is accomplished that the car rolls. One of the posts agrees " Yes this can be a bit tricky " however the consensus of opinion is perhaps driver error, I will persevere and bit more practice me thinks.

thanks all

[theskyfox]

Can I just add..I realise this has been mentioned just now, but make sure your seatbelt is on. I say this because my mum had massive problems with this. She would move the car, but not put her seatbelt on then come moaning at me about how rubbish the brakes etc are...

In short:

No seatbelt on = you need to press the button to release the handbrake and you will roll.
Seatbelt on = itl auto release for you when you go to pull away and you will not roll back.

You shouldnt need to press the button to release the brake, only to apply it.

-Andrew

[ScottyUK]

I shunt my car around on my drive (for working on my motorbike etc) so getting in to shunt it and not being in the habit of releasing the brake meant I was constantly trying to drive off with it on ..... until I tweaked it with VCDS.

Now it ignores the door/seat belt situation. :)

[21stCentury]

Mine's the same. The parking brake will release with the slightest bite on the clutch, whether it's enough to stop you rolling the wrong way or not.

Try this;
- leave your seatbelt off
- apply throttle and release clutch until you have are positively riding the clutch
- press the parking brake button down to release

That said, I don't do that myself as with practice it's not a problem. I think it just takes a while to get used to the fact that there's no second chance as there is with a mechanical parking brake lever.

[thescouselander]

thank you all for the replies much appreciated, as the first post mentions " is it just one of these things that the driver needs to master " perhaps this is the case, as most stated the EPB releases after forward/back movement just thought it a little strange that once this is accomplished that the car rolls. One of the posts agrees " Yes this can be a bit tricky " however the consensus of opinion is perhaps driver error, I will persevere and bit more practice me thinks.

thanks all


Yes, it is tricky in my car. I believe the reverse gear is too high on the model I have as it really seems to struggle getting started up hill in reverse. Its not so bad going forward. Still, I agree that it probably just requires an adaptation in driving style.

[clio222]

21stCentury Thanks, was beginning to think it was just me, more practice is in order.

Not to sure about the leave the seatbelt off though would be ok on the drive not much help driving towards a set off traffic lights/roundabout/ T junction all on a step incline and then coming to a stop and releasing the seatbelt.

thanks for the comments though will take onboard

[BAA]

You could also follow the procedure described for when towing a trailer and starting on a slope:


Driving away when towing a trailer
Please note the following points to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back unintentionally on a gradient.
– Pull and hold the parking brake switch and press the
accelerator. The parking brake will remain engaged and
prevent any tendency to roll back down the slope.
– You can release the parking brake switch as soon as the
engine is delivering enough power to the wheels.
Depending on the weight of the vehicle and trailer and the steepness
of the slope, there may be a tendency to roll back downhill
when driving away from a standstill. You can prevent this by pulling
out the parking brake switch as you press the accelerator (in the
same way as with a conventional handbrake).i.e.
Operate the EPB just like you would a normal handbrake lever.

[ScottyUK]

21stCentury Thanks, was beginning to think it was just me, more practice is in order.

Not to sure about the leave the seatbelt off though would be ok on the drive not much help driving towards a set off traffic lights/roundabout/ T junction all on a step incline and then coming to a stop and releasing the seatbelt.

thanks for the comments though will take onboard

I don't think anyone is suggesting that. It was purely pointing out that by default you need the door closed and the seatbelt on for the autorelease to work.....but it can be disabled with VCDS if required.

[gregpot2000]

I thought I was the only one! I have had this a few times on my 2008 SE, and mainly from reversing out of car parking spaces, quite scary when there is a wall directly in front of you!
My clutch has always been quite high though, I suspect it may need changing in a few months, I always wondered if this was the cause? eg the car is set to release the brake at a certain clutch position, but now my clutch needs to be higher to bite?
Now I am aware of it though, be it driver or car error, I am just a lot more thoughtful when setting off in this situation, and put more thought into what I'm doing, giving it more revs etc.

I know its scary though, and I've often thought after a scare, what was actually wrong with a mechanical lever!

Although I don't think we can truly complain, after driving the C -Class my dad had last year on and off, I am just glad we have a button! most Mercs have 4 pedals, to put the handbrake on you need to push down on a pedal next to the clutch, to take it off it's a hand lever below the steering wheel.
It makes juggling pedals in traffic etc a nightmare, you can't even put it on without putting it into neutral first, obviously taking your foot off the clutch to touch the "hand" brake will make you stall and jump forward

[clio222]

Boy do I feel a bit better now not losing it or vehicle malfunction, as it is apparently not just me !!!! however To date I have managed to overcome a little and feel more comfortable in the vehicles ability, for what it's worth thought I would share.

Firstly need to concentrate ( no doubt will come naturally over time ) more revs on the accelerator and lift the clutch up quicker so far so good has help a lot when in a couple of gradients, still need to convince the missus she's still reluctant as she doesnt use the car very often and at present lost confidence in the vehicle.

Thanks all

[legendamongus]

I've had three B8's now (long story) and I've never had a problem with the EPB. I have hill hold as well but never use it - use the footbrake on hills instead of the EPB usually as I find it more convenient. On the few times I've used it on inclines, it's seemed to work as expected.

Try giving it a few more revs so that you have more control once the clutch bites, you may find that it is less likely to roll back with a bit more power applied.

[skymaster]

I have driven a couple of B8s and always hated the EPB compared to a conventional hand break.

[J_B204]

I understand why people don't necessarily like the EPB but like any advancement in car technology there are always 'teething' problems where humans need to get used to using it. Imagine how awkward people felt when cruise control was first made available - in fact I still know people who refuse to use it! let alone radar controlled cruise control!

I remember the first car I drove with auto windscreen wipers (a Peugeout) and it was very unnerving - now I'm used to it.

I've never had any problems with my EPB under any situations - my wife isn't a fan of technological change but she really likes it. Our A4 was in for the DAB software update last week and we were given an A3 with a conventional parking brake. Great but the stop-start system doesn't work as well. Stop - Brake on - Into Neutral - Foot off clutch - Engine Stops. Then into gear, handbrake off and drive. The EPB removes the requirement to take the handbrake off which means driving away is easier. IMHO!!!

Each to his own but I think EPB's are going to become more prevalent.

[skymaster]

OK... Pardon my ignorance here... I assumed all cars with the electro magnetic hand break had hill hold assist, is this not the case? Whats the difference?

[gregpot2000]

They all have a form of hill hold assist, in that they will hold the handbrake on until you reach biting point.
The actual hill hold assist function if present, actually automatically applies the handbrake for you after you have had your foot on the footbrake for a while, and when turning the engine off, so apart from activating the system when you first set off you will not need to touch the EPB switch at all

[ScottyUK]

OK... Pardon my ignorance here... I assumed all cars with the electro magnetic hand break had hill hold assist, is this not the case? Whats the difference?

I was the best value option on the car (about £25) but sadly not available on the manual versions of 2.0TFSI and 2.0TDI with Stop/Start. It now seems to be available on all models but is now £65 !