Runaway Vectra

[Higgins]

I got a letter from vauxhall on saturday explaining that a small number of people had comlained about the handbrake system on the vec/sig. They go on to explain that they have co-operated with VOSE in testing the system and have found no faults. Anyway vauxhall appreciate that there may be some misunderstanding on how to parking so they have given me a little sticker to ut on the sun visor which explains how to use the handbrake lol


I was parked up today on a hill while i was standing at the side of the car. About 4 minutes went by and i heard a creaking noise from the rear wheels(brake pad grinding on the disk). As i looked the car rolled back a fraction. A minuite went past at it did this again. Rolled back a fraction and stopped. Anyway about 3 more times brakes creaked. I thought id leave it to see what happens due to the handbrake issuse with the vectra/Sig. 10 minutes later i was running after my car down the hill lol.

My opinion is that the car was fine when i originally parked but as the pads and disks lost heat it also lost grip and then rolled away. Did a few tests and the car done the same thing. If you live near a hill give it a go. Make sure you warm the pads and disks up and park on the hill.Pull the handbrake u and get out and watch. My handbrake was'nt all the way up but it was close. It was on enought that when i left the car it didn't move.I found as the disks cooled down the pads slowly lost grip. Ill have mine sent in for a service and have the handbrake tightened i think. Not a majour problem for me becuase when i leave the car i always leave it in gear.

Give the test a go!

[MAF 3.2 V6 GSi]

Must admit after that letter and reading stuff i always double check the handbrake and put it right up now .

[Higgins]

After seeing it for myself ill be double careful now. The whole thing was funny, only bacause i was there to see it and stop the car from taking a fence out

[ed taylor]

I have never been a fan of the Vectra handbrake and always leave it in gear when parked on a hill. I have also told the wife to leave it in the aproppriate gear too when she parks her Vectra, just in case.

[Gsi3.2]

the only good thing for Larisa is that her handbrake operates in a different way, so the cooling of the cast disc will actually make her handbrake work better.. it's just the vectra-c tha has a poorer design..but i do feel that the percentage of affected cars is small, and often due to operator's lack of tension on the handbrake..:

[Dwabo]

always leave it in gear tbh...

[veccy22]

used to have a renault 21 turbo that would like to wonder off un accompanied !! thank the lord it never did itself or anyone else any damage !!

[veccy22]

guy i know left his vec B 2.2 in gear ! some numpty hit it up the rear whilst parked and snapped the drive cam off the power steering pump ! insurance refused to cough as it was un related to the impact area !!

[Dwabo]

will take my chances instead of it 'running away'

[glenboy]

Always leave mine in gear,will have to remind the missus after that incident,cheers