auto hold - Dangerous

[mezzer123]

Auto hold is one of the many brilliant features, I've had my manual pp gti for 6 weeks and don't think I could imagine ever pulling up a manual hand brake ever again, hope the op gets it sorted!!!

[monkeyhanger]

Thanks for the replies, by chance i found that standard stop/start i had to keep foot on brake pedal, after activating the auto hold button near 'handbrake' i found i know longer had to keep my foot on the brake pedal, unaware that it3 times out and shoots forward.

I'm convinced that when you say you are activating it, you are actually turning the auto hold off. The clue is in the name, it doesn't need activating. When you come to a stop do you get the green icon light in the bit of the dash between the dials? If so then autohold is on and shouldn'y let go until you touch the accelerator (the car tgen knows you intend to move off), whether stop-start is active or not. When you "activate" auto hold does the green icon disappear? If so then you have switched it off.

[p3asa]

Here's a VW video explaining it
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/auto-hold

[miniman]

Here's a VW video explaining it
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/auto-hold

I am talking about the auto hold flap next to the 'handbrake' flap, not the foot over brake pedal

[Nuggsy71]

If the orange light is on the auto hold button, then its turned on, if not press it once until it lights up, then you never have to touch anything ever again ! you don't have to touch the handbrake button, just drive and enjoy.
When you brake and come to a halt, the handbrake will come on automatically, when you want to drive off, just touch the accelerator, and away you go, you never have to think about using the handbrake.
I appreciate it goes against everything you will have learnt as a learner driver, but once you get used to it, it's amazing, though it does cause problems when you get into a car with a manual handbrake !

[boydeee]

Here's a VW video explaining it
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/auto-hold

I am talking about the auto hold flap next to the 'handbrake' flap, not the foot over brake pedal

I think you might be confused with the operation of the system. Once it's switched on, it's like fit and forget, you don't need to touch the button again. Press the brake pedal hard enough when you've stopped to activate the auto hold (green P as others have mentioned) Removed foot from pedal. Pull away as normal, system looks after everything.

I'm not sure if you're unnecessarily leaving your foot on the brake pedal or touching the auto hold button....

[dubber36]

If the orange light is on the auto hold button, then its turned on, if not press it once until it lights up, then you never have to touch anything ever again ! you don't have to touch the handbrake button, just drive and enjoy.
When you brake and come to a halt, the handbrake will come on automatically, when you want to drive off, just touch the accelerator, and away you go, you never have to think about using the handbrake.
I appreciate it goes against everything you will have learnt as a learner driver, but once you get used to it, it's amazing, though it does cause problems when you get into a car with a manual handbrake !

Not quite right. When you brake and come to a halt, the pressure in the braking system is maintained in the calipers by the autohold feature. If you continue being stationary for a certain length of time, the parking brake will then engage automatically and take over the job.

[p3asa]

Here's a VW video explaining it
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/auto-hold

I am talking about the auto hold flap next to the 'handbrake' flap, not the foot over brake pedal

You are talking about both them as they are linked.
Why don't you make sure the light is on on the Auto Hold, drive to a local hill, come to a complete stop with plenty of pressure on the brake, take your foot off the brake and see what happens.

[Talk-torque]

I think us the converted maybe have to accept that the autohold system is not intuitive to all and, in fact, is counter intuitive to some. What you really need, miniman, is half an hour in the car with someone who is familiar with Autohold, and can demonstrate it's proper use and benefits. Trust us, this feature is no more dangerous than any other part of the car and very useful, when you have confidence in it. Worth the effort of getting the knowledge! 

[Booth11]

I think us the converted maybe have to accept that the autohold system is not intuitive to all and, in fact, is counter intuitive to some. What you really need, miniman, is half an hour in the car with someone who is familiar with Autohold, and can demonstrate it's proper use and benefits. Trust us, this feature is no more dangerous than any other part of the car and very useful, when you have confidence in it. Worth the effort of getting the knowledge! 

I think you are spot on Talk-torque. It's easy for those that find autohold very intuitive, to assume that everyone will get along with the autohold system instantly but I'm sure that's not the case for all, and no shame in that.  Sometimes it takes a while to get to grips with these new things and then suddenly it clicks!  A short stint in a car with someone famaliar with it would be hugely beneficial to the OP I would imagine. 

I must say I was dreading this system before I got my car, but it has turned out to be one of the best features and I gelled with it almost instantly.  When I had a courtesy car the other day with a normal handbrake and no autohold I missed it terribly.

OP - if you can get to grips with it, I'm sure you will find it a brilliant feature.