Passat B6 Purchase

[WinDrop]

Hi Guys,

Still looking for a passat to buy (nearly 5 months now...)

I am narrowing down my searches because of a missing auto hold function.
I need it pure simply because I am not too good in switching between brake pedal and accelerator pedal on a hill...

I am wondering, have anybody here installed auto hold function after purchase of the car?
If so was it expensive?

I would happily purchase a car without auto hold function in it and then install it afterwards in case if it's not too expensive (£100-£150)

Thanks.

[RichardSEL]

Got two .pdf files here as a how to. But looks like a part dismantle of centre console needed to get to the ABS module.
PM me an e-mail address and I can attach by return. 2009 prices about £32 in parts

[WinDrop]

Got two .pdf files here as a how to. But looks like a part dismantle of centre console needed to get to the ABS module.
PM me an e-mail address and I can attach by return. 2009 prices about £32 in parts

PM Sent :)
However I don't think that I will be able to do this on my own.

Will probably have to contact dealer and find out how much will they charge to install the feature.

[Quatrelle]

Isn't what you're looking for already in the car with the electronic handbrake?

[WinDrop]

Isn't what you're looking for already in the car with the electronic handbrake?
There is a function called autohold in VW Passats.

Electronic Handbrake, it does not include automated handbreake release.

[Quatrelle]

There is a function called autohold in VW Passats.

Electronic Handbrake, it does not include automated handbreake release.

So what does the electronic handbrake do?

I'm well aware there's a function called autohold. Part of its function incorporates the electronic handbrake, which automatically releases the handbrake when you pull away on a hill.

If you're not too good at switching between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal on a hill you should learn to use a handbrake. If you buy a Passat with just the electronic handbrake you won't have to learn.

Hope this helps ;-)

[Teflon]

Maybe you should test drive a plain vanilla B6 with just the electronic handbrake and find a nice steep hill. My B6 had the autohold and TBH I thought is was a sack of cack, but I know others love it to little mint balls.

I seem to remember that if I manually applied the handbrake with the button it would come off automatically when I tried to move away, but maybe this was just part of the AH function and mine was an auto too. Maybe someone with the basic system can confirm?

.

[Quatrelle]

On cars with just the electronic handbrake - Stop the car, apply handbrake with the dash button. To pull away, dip clutch to the floor, select gear, give the car some gas as you let the clutch up, and the handbrake will release automatically.

It means that the Passat cannot be used for the driving-test hill start.

A lot of folk don't like it, my wife hates it and would prefer the conventional lever. It is, imo, an unnecessary complication, with expensive parts to repair when it goes wrong, which it often does.

[WinDrop]

On cars with just the electronic handbrake - Stop the car, apply handbrake with the dash button. To pull away, dip clutch to the floor, select gear, give the car some gas as you let the clutch up, and the handbrake will release automatically.

It means that the Passat cannot be used for the driving-test hill start.

A lot of folk don't like it, my wife hates it and would prefer the conventional lever. It is, imo, an unnecessary complication, with expensive parts to repair when it goes wrong, which it often does.

So do you want to say that B6 electronic brakes release automatically even without auto hold function?
If that's the case then what's the point of it?

I have never tried to move off with applied handbrake on a car that doesn't have autohold so I cannot really tell...

[Quatrelle]

I haven't got Autohold, but I believe it applies the handbrake whenever the car comes to a stop.

The electronic handbrake removes the problem of balancing the clutch, throttle and manual handbrake.

[WinDrop]

I haven't got Autohold, but I believe it applies the handbrake whenever the car comes to a stop.

The electronic handbrake removes the problem of balancing the clutch, throttle and manual handbrake.

So only difference is that with auto hold you handbrake will apply automatically once car comes to a full stop and without it you have to do it yourself?

But in both cases handbrake releases automatically once you release clutch?

[sar02]

I have Autohold on my 08 Highline and think its good, i have had a problem that when crawling at a very slow speed (over taken by tortoise kind of slow) the Autohold suddenly operates and i come to a sharp stop but this is a minor inconvenience and i am learning to switch it off when in traffic jams and just use the electronic handbrake when on a hill.

[Quatrelle]

I have Autohold on my 08 Highline and think its good, i have had a problem that when crawling at a very slow speed (over taken by tortoise kind of slow) the Autohold suddenly operates and i come to a sharp stop but this is a minor inconvenience and i am learning to switch it off when in traffic jams and just use the electronic handbrake when on a hill.
I'm guessing that sums it up nicely.

[WinDrop]

Thank you all for your help :)

All replies very useful.

[mikecb1]

My 2007 model Sport 170 has Autohold, and my experience is generally positive. I use it all the time, and hardly ever need to apply the EPB using the button.

Now, there may be changes on more recent models, but mine works as follows: When I bring the car to rest using the footbrake, the brakes stay on, and will hold the car on even a steep hill (the clue is in the name Autohold). Note that this is not the EPB - the system works on the hydraulic braking system. The brakes release automatically when I pull away. I have never experienced Autohold coming on by itself when travelling very slowly, however there is some very very low speed threshold below which Autohold will come on if I touch the brakes. This can catch you out if you're inching along in very (very) slow moving traffic.

The slight quirks which take a little getting used to are that that Autohold can only be selected with the driver's seat belt on and the driver's door closed. Also, the EPB comes on automatically if the engine stops, the seat belt is released or the door is opened when Autohold is in operation. A personal irritation is that Autohold has to be selected every time the engine is started. I would prefer Autohold to be the default. (I think this can be overridden in newer versions).

HTH

mikecb1

[MDA123]

Yes, with my 2010 model you can set the Autohold to ON as the default menu setting which can then be manually deselected if gently stop starting going down hill when it can suddenly decide to stop abruptly.