Help needed with Park Brake/Auto Hold

**mikecb1** · 19-04-2008,02:56 PM

Just bought a 56 TDi Sport 170 with 20k miles, and struggling to get to grips with the smart (?) braking system.

Four times now in one week the park brake has failed to release when pulling away (Twice for me, twice for my wife). Since I have always used the handbrake in previous cars at junctions, traffic lights, roundabouts etc, this is potentially very dangerous, and I have lost confidence in using the park brake for temporary stops. Is there some trick to getting the brake to release reliably, or is it more likely to be an intermittent fault with the system? Is the parking brake not intended to be used for temporary stops, and if so, then how does one pull away on a hill?

Since I have the Auto Hold function, I thought I would try using this for temporary stops. This kinda works, but since the brake releases as soon as I touch the accelorator, the car rolls back a little on inclines before I can pull away. Again, is this just a case of learning the knack, or is there a fault?

Any ideas/experiences gratefully received. (The car is good otherwise).

Mike

**Santana** · 19-04-2008,03:09 PM

You may have a fault with your car of course, but the brake does take some getting used to.

I think the key to getting it to release, is to use enough throttle. With a manual handbrake the driver waits for the revs to drop slightly knowing the clutch is then biting. This isn't sufficient on the Passat, it's waiting for you apply throttle.

So: fully depresss clutch, bring it back up, feel the bite point, then apply generous throttle.

I found it difficult on hills at first ( I don't have autohold) but now I'm not even sure I could use a handbrake again!

**Quatrelle** · 19-04-2008,11:00 PM

As Santana says, fully depress the clutch - it acts like a push-button on/off switch and seems at times to need the pedal pushed through the carpet.

I've certainly got used to mine and seldom have any problems.

**tony99** · 25-04-2008,09:03 PM

I found that, with electronic brake on, depress clutch give generous blip of accelerator and release clutch. Always works for me.

**VwAdy** · 26-04-2008,07:27 AM

also note..
if your door is not fully shut the auto brake will not disengage also not wearing you seatbelt...

when I collected my passat from new It took me 20 mins and left half my clutch on my drive trying to pull away to discover I left my door slightly open.

**Kaiser2000** · 26-04-2008,04:32 PM

I've recently upgraded from an auto B5 Passat to an auto-DSG (with Auto Hold) B6 Passat. I've noticed as well that the car rolls back a little when moving off and on an incline - very annoying considering that this didn't happen on the earlier B5 I had, and when you have some idiot too close behind you.

I was going to ask here if there was some problem (especially given all the reported problems with the electronic brake), but I take it it's just the way it operates?

**Stuart W** · 27-04-2008,04:57 AM

Originally Posted by VwAdy

also note..

when I collected my passat from new It took me 20 mins and left half my clutch on my drive trying to pull away to discover I left my door slightly open.

Don't know about yours, but on mine if you leave the door open slightly and try to drive off the display tells you to "release parking brake" (ie use the manual release option) whereas it should be telling you to close the door!!

**BenR** · 27-04-2008,09:23 PM

It's all about timing. Watch the lights for the other traffic flow (as you should anyway) and anticipate when your own lights are about to change. Into gear, then blip the throttle and briefly lift the clutch just as far as the bite point. The brake will grumble and release and you will be ready to move away the second you get the green light.

**Gaz_2005_Passat** · 28-04-2008,02:40 AM

Originally Posted by BenR

It's all about timing. Watch the lights for the other traffic flow (as you should anyway) and anticipate when your own lights are about to change. Into gear, then blip the throttle and briefly lift the clutch just as far as the bite point. The brake will grumble and release and you will be ready to move away the second you get the green light.

I find giving a little rev first then bringing your clutch up was the trick

**ionic** · 28-04-2008,07:18 PM

I found the brake on mine a bit wierd at first.

Once you get used to it though it's no problem.

The 170 is a superb drive, & gives a nice howl when you give it some.

I'm considering a remap in the future to take it up around 210-220bhp.

My last car was a boxed Vectra 1.9 150, kicking out about 190bhp & 400+NM of torque. It was an absolute animal!