Accidental electronic handbrake

[biggles330d]

Dragged over from comments in a Readers Cars post...

Who's accidentally applied it at speed when reaching for the electric windows? And does it really lock up the rear or just pinch them enough to feel then automatically release?

[Brother D]

I tried this in my FPace before I came to a full stop.

Highly recommend against doing this!

[Liam22]

I've done it on purpose (at low speed). Felt like it triggered the ABS pump on all 4 wheels but I didn't over-think it!

[bcr5784]

No issue at speed (my instructor tried it while I was driving!) Not sure it was quite as dramatic or effective as the same thing on my Cayman) . Useful to know.

[kdempsie]

I did this once, but only once :-), it applies the brakes and then released it quickly. Still got my heart pumping!

[Murphys]

Yep, guilty of this as discussed before, went for the windows and grabbed the brake. I was probably only doing about 40 in a straight line and I think it let go almost immidately, I definately didnt stop or skid...Oh and the windows didn't move

[Sporky]

biggles330d said:

does it really lock up the rear

I believe (like most electronic handbrake cars) it basically tells the ABS to turn "on". Stop as fast as possible in as straight a line as possible.

I did it in a company Passat once; it was like the car had dropped an anchor on a very short chain.