Parking Brake

[DouglasB6]

I purchased a 3 year old Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE in August (original reg date being June 2006) but the dealer provided me with new completely new user books with the exception of the Radio booklet and had the original supplying dealer stamp up the service booklet. The question I have is related to the Electric Parking Brake. As the car does not have the Auto-hold button on the panel by the gear lever how do I hold the car on hill starts as the new book 3 does not cover this.

[vespa]

I am new to VW's and my new Passat has the electric brake with auto hold. I spent several mins trying to suss it out and on mine set the auto brake on permanently doing its own thing. From what I gather from my studies your brake will be applied when you press the button and released when it is pressed again. Just like using a handbrake lever in some ways. If you need emergencey handbrake you keep the button pressed. I think thats how yours will work but no doubt someone on here will confirm this.

[martin1810]

You just press the button to put the parking brake on. When you press the clutch down engage gear and start to lift clutch pedal the brake comes off on it's own, as long as your seat belt is on. Fantastic for hill starts as you don't have to touch the button at all.

[Quatrelle]

Martin - correct me if I'm wrong (I never think about it now), but doesn't it also need a touch of throttle at the same time?

DouglasB6, whatever you do, make sure you put the clutch right to the floor, almost as if there's a button down there that it has to touch to get the brake off.

Well that's what I try to tell my wife....

[daveyboy467]

start engine,
seat belt on,
clutch down,
1st gear, lift clutch to biting point,
feather throttle,
then hand brake should automatic disengage.

[martin1810]

Martin - correct me if I'm wrong (I never think about it now), but doesn't it also need a touch of throttle at the same time?

DouglasB6, whatever you do, make sure you put the clutch right to the floor, almost as if there's a button down there that it has to touch to get the brake off.

Well that's what I try to tell my wife....

Car wouldn't move on a hill start without some throttle.

[afghandaz]

I think the door has to be shut as well!

I only now this as I was trying to demonstrate (show off) in front of a work colleauge and It still wouldn't release the handbrake while I ws trying to pull away.

I know it's unlikely you would drive with the door open though!!!

[DouglasB6]

Thanks guys. I will try this tonight I know just the hill to test it on. Thanks again

[BenR]

You need to anticipate traffic lights by putting it in gear then blipping the throttle while bringing the cluch briefly to the bite point. You will hear the motor releasing the brake and just as the lights change you will be ready to move.

[james_tiger_woo]

Note that the car doesn't actually have to be in gear for the handbrake to come off - try it - Clutch up, accelerator on - as you would normally do - and the brake'll come off.