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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Electronic Parking Brake

26 replies

Belindabelle · 27/02/2019 22:10

Just collected my new car and it has one of these. I hate it! Will I get used to it? I have been driving for 30 years and just can’t get the hang of doing things differently.

Anybody else managed to over come this.

OP posts:
MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns · 27/02/2019 22:12

I've had a car with one for 4 years. I'm used to it. Although for hill starts it's a bit nerve-wracking, although I haven't rolled back. DP hates it whenever he drives my car.

Beamur · 27/02/2019 22:13

Had a car with one. Weird at first but fine, never had any problems with it.

SavoyCabbage · 27/02/2019 22:13

Yes, I was all up,in arms when I got one. Days later I couldn’t imagine indignity of actually having to put on my own handbrake like someone from the eighties.

sackrifice · 27/02/2019 22:14

I love it - i have it o my co pany car. So much so i forget my OG's car doesn't have one.

Drunkatthepetrolstation · 27/02/2019 22:14

I love mine and think it makes hill starts much easier.

It also makes me chuckle if anyone else drives my car and looks around for the handbreak.

MissCharleyP · 27/02/2019 22:17

DH has one in his car and I found it weird at first but got used to it. He does also have hill start assist which makes it easier, I have an ordinary handbrake even though my car is newer, his is higher spec. I think I’d find the electric brake harder without the hill start assist.

needthisthread · 27/02/2019 22:17

It's literally no different. Instead of pulling a handle up and down you press a button

needmorepizzainmydiet · 27/02/2019 22:19

Give it another week and you’ll have forgotten there was ever a time you had to actually do something with a handbrake. I can’t imagine not just getting in my car, turning it on and driving away.

Belindabelle · 27/02/2019 22:25

Thanks. Good to hear I should get used to it. Just need to practise I guess.

OP posts:
needthisthread · 27/02/2019 22:26

What do you have to practice?

What kind of car is it?

Gth1234 · 27/02/2019 22:33

They are great, and no handbrake stick.

CouldntThink · 27/02/2019 22:45

Our car has one and it took a bit of getting used to but I really like it now. No trouble at all to use.

RandomMess · 27/02/2019 22:52

You get used to it but still not keen on a very steep hill start I have the pleasure of doing fairly regularly. It's also a pain the you can only "take the handbrake off" by going into first and reving the engine, no taking it off to roll down the hill so to speak... I avoid putting it on in queuing traffic etc.

mineofuselessinformation · 27/02/2019 22:53

It takes a while to trust it and get used to how it works.
But I really like mine now and it doesn't distract from driving a car with a manual handbrake if I do. (Up is on and down is off iyswim.)

RainbowMum11 · 27/02/2019 22:55

Place mine now - it has an auto setting which automatically turns it to hand brake too once the foot brake is fully pressed (unlike my previous car, had to press it on) which is brilliant in traffic & on hills.

RainbowMum11 · 27/02/2019 22:55

love not place

needthisthread · 27/02/2019 22:57

still not keen on a very steep hill start I have the pleasure of doing fairly regularly

Does it not have auto hold?

It's also a pain the you can only "take the handbrake off" by going into first and reving the engine

In mine you have to depress the foot brake and push the handbrake button down

FortyFacedFuckers · 27/02/2019 23:01

Swap you cars OP - over the weekend I picked up my new car which has a handbrake and after only ever owning cars without one I am struggling to get used to it and keep randomly pushing buttons looking for my parking brake!

AliMonkey · 27/02/2019 23:03

I hated it at first but now would find it really hard to go back to a manual one. You'll love it soon!

DorothyZbornak · 27/02/2019 23:04

DH has it in his car (company car)
I hate it.

Omzlas · 27/02/2019 23:05

Took me.about a year to get used to it but all.good now. Love it for hill starts too, it's ace!

highheelsandbobblehats · 27/02/2019 23:06

I have one. At first I'd scrabble about looking for the handbrake, but like a previous poster, I can't imagine not just getting in and driving away, or by the same token, turning it off and getting out. And in its place I have a handy tray for my work lanyard, sunglasses and travel mug. I love mine.

HandsOffMyRights · 27/02/2019 23:07

My lease car had one. After two years I still hated it. Have just bought one with an old style handbrake!

RandomMess · 27/02/2019 23:11

It's a very very very very steep hill with a crossroad junction, the issue is that you have to very much have the revs up more than with a manual or the handbrake doesn't release Confused ended up doing wheel spins on occasion.

All other hills no problem!

NorthernLurker · 27/02/2019 23:11

Love mine. I had a courtesy car with a manual one last week and it was hell!