Advanced Driving Hub

I've recently changed cars (now a 1.4T Leon FR - Vroom).

'New' car has an electric parking brake. which is actually quite effective and simple to use (my inner Luddite was, initially, not impressed).

What happens if you get a flat battery? If moving (say the alternator failed and the battery gets run down) will it be impossible to apply the parking brake, or parked (light left on) will it be impossible to release it?

Depends on the car. My old Renault had a mechanical release in the boot. Consult the handbook (which I'm going to do 'cos I don't know how to do it on my Focus)

Ford very unhelpfully say "connect a booster battery"

Where is the button located? between the seats? If so be vary careful who is your passenger

Yup, where a 'hand'brake (instead of a finger as it is now!) might be, alongside the gear lever. When driving, it's flush with the surface of the centre console, so would be difficult to operate accidentally. A malevolent passenger could just as easily grab the handbrake or knock the car out of gear.

You might notice a hand grabbing the handbrake, however when distracted a finger might be missed . Looking forward to the next ADHub event

Horse wrote:Yup, where a 'hand'brake (instead of a finger as it is now!) might be, alongside the gear lever. When driving, it's flush with the surface of the centre console, so would be difficult to operate accidentally. A malevolent passenger could just as easily grab the handbrake or knock the car out of gear.

Does it activate if the car is moving? Try it and let us know.

Not much use as a secondary braking system if it doesn’t operate when the vehicle is moving?

Jonquirk wrote:Not much use as a secondary braking system if it doesn’t operate when the vehicle is moving?

Having read the handbook Ford say don't pull it on when driving but it can be used in an emergency

Just a thought, I when leaving any vehicle for a length of time, leave in gear and release the handbrake. Does the electric handbrake draw power when on? if so the above is probably a good idea for saving battery power. Oh and yes the handbrake DOES come on on the move, ask Muggins