Automatic Handbrake? Or not…

[steve21288]

Just taken Porsche Preston’s Macan GTS demonstrator out for a spin. Lovely car. Just one thing that’s confusing/annoying me: when I came to a stop, put the car in park and turned the ignition off, I realised the electronic handbrake hadn’t automatically turned on? Is this normal? All VWs, Audis, BMWs I’ve had in the past would turn on automatically?

[AllanG]

Yes, this is normal, as you have to manually activate the electronic handbrake when leaving the vehicle......personally, I don’t have a problem with this, even though my previous Audi Q5 had the handbrake auto-on function.

[Jon A]

Genuine question - why would you need to activate the handbrake when leaving the vehicle in “park”
Surely it’s as broad as it is long, the car can’t roll off anywhere??

[Rarecolour]

Won't roll away, but can make it difficult to move the gear lever if the handbrake isn't applied.

[Jon A]

Won't roll away, but can make it difficult to move the gear lever if the handbrake isn't applied.

Good tip
I have never applied the electronic handbrake when leaving auto cars, but perhaps they auto applied in the various cars I’ve had…

[On-Track]

Won't roll away, but can make it difficult to move the gear lever if the handbrake isn't applied.

Good tip
I have never applied the electronic handbrake when leaving auto cars, but perhaps they auto applied in the various cars I’ve had…

If you never park on a gradient you might not have experienced the problem Rarecolour refers to. I must admit that on gradients I'm ultra cautious. With the foot brake still applied, I place the car in neutral, apply the parking brake and then release the foot brake. The car will move slightly as the parking brake takes up the strain. It's only then that I put the transmission in park. Many years ago in an auto (I can't remember the make) I found out just how hard it is to get it out of park if the transmission is under load.

[TheTraveller]

The difficulty in moving the lever will not be suffered, as it’s not directly linked to the gearbox, as it was in the earlier vehicles. It’s electronic, but moving the vehicle on a hill without the h/b on, will still put a strain in the system.

[SAC1]

The Macan does not have an auto handbrake, even as a cost optional extra!

Somewhat surprising as many cars in the VAG range do. Our Leon does and you can choose to have the auto option enabled or not. We do and it's fail safe whenever the car comes to a halt.

Very useful too on junctions with inclines, as the Leon never rolls back. With the Macan you need to jab the foot brake to engage Hold.

[Col Lamb]

Before you switch off the engine jab the brakes so Hold shows on the MFD, handbrake is now engaged.

You can turn off engine and exit the vehicle.

The foot jab to handbrake hold is a useful feature when driving.

If the handbrake switch is clicked when on the move the car will perform an emergency stop.

[softsand]

“Before you switch off the engine jab the brakes so Hold shows on the MFD, handbrake is now engaged.

You can turn off engine and exit the vehicle.”


As someone who is a prospective buyer and used to auto hold, this doesn’t sound too bad to get used to. After all, your foot is already on the brake to put the car in park.