Adapting to the replacement of the handbrake.

[clubsport]

If you don't like the auto hold, don't use it.

Most of the time I use the hand brake like a conventional one, only as a switch/ button rather than lever you pull up or down and engage.

When I am parked I engage it by pulling up and seeing the orange light, to pull away I turn it off by pressing it down. If I need the hand brake at a junction, I just pull the button up again as required.

Well documented on here, the only issue with the above is trying to reverse or manoeuvre without the seat belt on. You have to have a firm foot on the brake and turn the hold mechanism off, to proceed.

I drive other cars, one with a conventional handbrake, one with a fly off handbrake, another Lhd & the GTi.

I quite like the variety and don't have a problem with jumping between any of them.

[Mk7-GTD]

If you don't like the auto hold, don't use it.

Most of the time I use the hand brake like a conventional one, only as a switch/ button rather than lever you pull up or down and engage.

When I am parked I engage it by pulling up and seeing the orange light, to pull away I turn it off by pressing it down. If I need the hand brake at a junction, I just pull the button up again as required.

Well documented on here, the only issue with the above is trying to reverse or manoeuvre without the seat belt on. You have to have a firm foot on the brake and turn the hold mechanism off, to proceed.

I drive other cars, one with a conventional handbrake, one with a fly off handbrake, another Lhd & the GTi.

I quite like the variety and don't have a problem with jumping between any of them.

You no longer have to have the seatbelt on for automatic release of the handbrake.

On another note, when did VW start the brake lights on with auto hold?

[mike.]

I think the handbrake and autohold are brilliant. I never have to touch anything.

Get in the car seatbelt on, drive off, stop the car get out and walk off.

I have never noticed the autohold not activating when stopped in traffic or on hills.

I have noticed that the brake lights stay on, which seems wrong as you are blinding the person behind when start/stop has activated and autohold has activated.

[itavaltalainen]

Lights stay on as otherwise you'd get rear ended if people don't see them, at least that's the thought behind them.

I sometimes had the Autohold not come on because I hardly had to have foot on brake to stop. I just hit the brakes a bit harder once stationary - this always engages AH.

That VW dealer sounds dumb, you cannot hear AH coming on, it's only if you have applied them very lightly and lift off clutch a bit (without pressing throttle), then it slams them on further and you can hear ABS pump.

Parking brake is entirely different, it does not rely on brake hydraulics but uses stepper motors instead. This one you can hear if you have no music on.

Personally after having done over 100k miles in my Golf now I would not want a car without.

Only shame is you can't do handbrake turns anymore

[Mk7-GTD]

Lights stay on as otherwise you'd get rear ended if people don't see them, at least that's the thought behind them.

Seriously? How did we not all get rear-ended before we got e handbrakes. BTW on my CC the brake lights don't light when either the auto hold or handbrake is on.

[itavaltalainen]

I always kept foot on brake when I was last stationary in a queue. In particular on a German motorway with no speed limit!
When someone is behind me and not gonna set off after a second I pull the EPB and lights go off.

[Watts]

Hi mattarosa  My GTI is the first car for me with electronic handbrake too. Don't give up, the car is fantastic, you will get to grips with it. I was sceptical at first but have settled into it very quickly and don't even notice it working now. Perhaps you need to work at it to get over your worries but the car is well worth it so give it a go, you won't regret it!

[JB GTI]

I have had a manual Mk7 GTI and my current Mk7 R DSG and I have got nothing but praise and complete confidence in the auto hold and electric handbrake. So much so that I never even think about it now and trust it to just do what it is supposed to do. When I picked my GTI up the salesman said just drive the car and don't think about it, it works. Upshot..I don't and it does !!! Wouldn't be without it now 

[Pixwix]

I love it....my favourite  unexpected feature ...but then I also love the ambient lighting (damn these lighter nights on my drive home from work) and the little drawer under the seats. Of course the handling and performance are up there too.. but they were a given.

[Watts]

I love it....my favourite  unexpected feature ...but then I also love the ambient lighting (damn these lighter nights on my drive home from work) and the little drawer under the seats. Of course the handling and performance are up there too.. but they were a given.

What do you manage to fit in the drawers under the seats? I haven't found anything that fits yet!