Handbrake Failure on Post 06 Siggy's and Veccy's

[Signum_CDTI]

It seems that after Watchdog this week (or was it last?!?!) that Vx are finally admitting that there might be a problem with the handbrakes on these motors.

Handbrake has released itself on me, causing car to park itself into a wall, scuffing paintwork etc etc.

Apparently, a stronger spring is getting fitted to locking mechanism (or so I'm told). So why has it taken Vx so long to acknowledge the problem??

Also, in work the other week, one of our 'job' Veccy VXR's took itself for a drive accross the yard, smacking into a van and ripping the side door off - so Vx - there is a problem, and it's not driver error! Ca't get better than a Class 1 Police driver!

Hope they get their thumbs out and get it sorted!

[plasma]

Being a class 1 police driver you should know to leave it in gear! cause all of us including you dont know how to operate their handbrake correctly!!

Thx Vx for the lovely marshmellow handbrake!

[ianjofriel]

i checked my handbrake today after all the comments recently, it's quite high, but guess that's because it probably needs new rear pads and needs adjusting, but it's definitely secure, gave it a good thump ( as hard as i could without damaging anything including me ) and it didn't budge... mine's an 07 plate ?

[Big Dave]

Doesn't anyone RTFM anymore?

Advice when parking:
Always apply handbrake firmly. On slopes apply the handbrake as firmly as
possible.
With manual transmission, select first gear or reverse, for automatic transmission or CVTronic, place selector lever in P.

[parapaul]

The point is (without bringing up the whole debate again) that the handbrake, by law, must be capable of holding the car stationary. If it's not capable of that, whether it be by design fault or anything else, then it needs to be rectified.

Leaving the car in gear is just a precaution - that handbrake should be sufficient.

[Big Dave]

handbrake should be sufficient.

Hmmm, over 1 ton of metal being prevented from rolling away by a rachet mechanism and some bowden cable. Leaving the car in gear as well should be compulsory, not a precaution.

[Signum_CDTI]

The point is (without bringing up the whole debate again) that the handbrake, by law, must be capable of holding the car stationary. If it's not capable of that, whether it be by design fault or anything else, then it needs to be rectified.

Leaving the car in gear is just a precaution - that handbrake should be sufficient.

I totally agree with this - you can't rely on the gear's when doing a hill start on a 1:4 hill can you?? Handbrake is sh*te at the best of times. Get it sorted Vx

[Big Dave]

I totally agree with this - you can't rely on the gear's when doing a hill start on a 1:4 hill can you??

But you are in the car when trying to do a hill start. So if the handbrake does fail you are there to put your foot on the brake pedal. If the car were parked on a 1:4 hill (unatended) at least if left in gear, it's not going to run away if the handbrake should fail.

btw, you can rely on the gears when doing a hill start - it's called clutch control

[Craig1985]

changing subject, but as your a copper yor'll know answer? do police have to show you video evidence if i ask for it? was traffic police who stoppedf me? i asked and he said it only records n unable to play back? bull sh....i....t? hope u can answer? cheers

[pauls898]

I was horified at VX suggestion on BBC Watchdog of applying the hand brake while NOT pressing in the button!!! My driving instructor from years ago would have gone mad if I applied the hand brake without first pressing the button in