Handbrake quirks

[LE62NDE]

2000 miles into Alpine ownership and I've realised that the handbrake has a mind of its own: or the one on my car does, at least. When I come to park the car, I usually put the car into 'Park' and press the red starter button. This switches the engine off and -sometimes- applies the parking brake. But sometimes it doesn't: the parking brake needs applying manually. At other times I take a shortcut and, with the car still in Drive, press the starter button. This automatically puts the car into 'Park' and applies the handbrake -sometimes. At other times it puts the gearbox into 'Park' and stops the engine -but the parking brake isn't applied.

I haven't yet worked out if being in Normal or Sport mode influences what happens.

And finally, why does the engine restart when I apply the parking brake when the engine switches off in stop/start mode? I have to engage neutral to prevent this, which isn't particularly convenient in slow moving traffic.

None of the above spoils the delight I have in the car, but it would be nice if it was a) consistent and b) logical...wouldn't it?

[Pete182cup]

I’ve noticed a similar quirk with mine - I would guesstimate that it auto applies the handbrake 95% of the time when I power off which can lead to a mini panic when it chooses not to put the handbrake on!! I’ve no idea if there is anyone logic to why it does this, other than being French perhaps

[worldwidewebs]

If stop/start turns the engine off before you switch off then the handbrake won't come on. If the engine is still running then the handbrake will come on unless you hold the handbrake button down while switching off

[biggles330d]

Has anyone pressed the handbrake button when driving? I did accidentally a while back grappling for the electric windows and alarmingly it did rather feel like it applied the handbrake at 30-40 mph! I haven't done that since, but surely that shouldn't be possible.

[Adam205]

biggles330d said:

Has anyone pressed the handbrake button when driving? I did accidentally a while back grappling for the electric windows and alarmingly it did rather feel like it applied the handbrake at 30-40 mph! I haven't done that since, but surely that shouldn't be possible.

Not in this car, but I did in a Volvo I had a few years ago and I can still feel it in my neck....

It's a legal requirement that the handbrake acts an an emergency brake should there be a hydraulic failure.