Customer Satisfaction Program....

spoons · 18th February 2009, 14:57

Just to partially revive a classic

Got a letter today and you gotta laugh....

Blah Blah Blah....

"During its extensive test programme, Vauxhall reviewed a number of handbrake mechanisms and found when the handbrake is incorrectly applied by depressing the release button, it is possible to manipulate the handbrake mechanism so as to cause it to release partially."

Oh what !!.... please...

result is to return the car to Vauxhall to have the modification carried out, so that the handbrake cannot be applied incorrectly.

Its a button and a hinged bar... how hard can it be for crying out loud

**m8internet** · 18th February 2009, 14:59

Their wording is correct, as they have used depressed and not pressed

**thegoldenbullet** · 18th February 2009, 15:00

Use the handle properly spoons!!!! nice aircraft by the way, shame about the squadron!

spoons · 18th February 2009, 15:05

How can the driver be allowed to apply the hand brake by depressing the release button at the same time then?

... thats like Microsofts press 'Start' to shut down your computer.

If the button is a 'release' button, the driver shouldnt be allowed to press it until the hand brake is applied correctly. Again a design fault.

Either way Vauxhall...

**glenboy** · 18th February 2009, 15:08

I had the same letter the other day,had the car for nearly 18 months....

**andymagee1982** · 18th February 2009, 15:14

It gets worse!

The insignia as a Electronic one

They cant even sort the std one and went for this

all the way down the hill sooner or later

**SignumPhil** · 18th February 2009, 16:35

Originally Posted by spoons

Just to partially revive a classic

Got a letter today and you gotta laugh....

Blah Blah Blah....

"During its extensive test programme, Vauxhall reviewed a number of handbrake mechanisms and found when the handbrake is incorrectly applied by depressing the release button, it is possible to manipulate the handbrake mechanism so as to cause it to release partially."

Oh what !!.... please...

result is to return the car to Vauxhall to have the modification carried out, so that the handbrake cannot be applied incorrectly.

Its a button and a hinged bar... how hard can it be for crying out loud

Inside information suggests that if you're one of the well behaved people who do what they were taught when they learned to drive, and press the handbrake button when putting it on, rather than just wrenching it up, the pawl cat end up on the"peak" of the ratchet, rather than the "valley". It can then fall off the peak and fly off.
If you just wrench it up, the problem won't occur.

Phil

**Diet1985** · 18th February 2009, 16:41

Originally Posted by SignumPhil

Inside information suggests that if you're one of the well behaved people who do what they were taught when they learned to drive, and press the handbrake button when putting it on, rather than just wrenching it up, the pawl cat end up on the"peak" of the ratchet, rather than the "valley". It can then fall off the peak and fly off.
If you just wrench it up, the problem won't occur.

Phil

So Vx basically want us to do the opposite of what we were all taught... lol

**SignumPhil** · 18th February 2009, 17:33

Originally Posted by Diet1985

So Vx basically want us to do the opposite of what we were all taught... lol

Or have the mod, which puts a stronger spring in the button.

Phil

**Ste** · 18th February 2009, 18:27

This is hardly news.

The handbrake mechanism works like any other traditional handbrake. The only problem is that it is susceptible to failure depending on how it has been applied.

I have said this on here many times, if the handbrake is applied correctly, then you have nothing to worry about. If you apply the handbrake with the button depressed, then there is a chance is will slip off and fail.

I have always applied the handbrake like this, hold button in and pull up, then release button for the last 2 clicks - never had a HB fail on me.

Mine is having the extra spring fitted next week anyway.