Electric parking brake

[the2ems]

Just want to confirm that I have read the owners manual properly regarding automatic release of the electric parking brake. Am I correct in thinking that in a situation such as a hill start, I don’t need to manually release the parking brake, then quickly switch my foot from foot brake to accelerator, before starting to roll back?

[pi14]

In my C5, when I stop on a hill, the electric parking brake is automatically on. After releasing the foot brake I have 2 sec. (this time can be adjusted via DiagBox) in which parking brake still holds and after that time it is automatically released.

[RichardW]

Correct, but there are 2 separate functions:

Parking / Handbrake - if this is applied, then yes it will release as you pull away. Note that you need to have a few revs on, and the clutch off the floor before it will release - it can take a bit of practice to get it to release smoothly, although later cars with motors on calipers are better than the earlier 'hybrid' versions with cables and a motor. I find it best in my 3008 with cables to lift the clutch slightly then blip the throttle to allow it to release, then pull away, avoids an awkward lurch.

Hill hold - this uses the service brake rather than the handbrake - when you have been holding it on the brake on a hill it will hold the brakes on for 2 seconds after you take your foot off the pedal to allow you time to get on the power and pull away without roll back. This releases instantly so no need for foot trickery to get a smooth take off. It can be a bit of an annoyance in close manoeuvering, e.g. if you still have it in gear, and want it to roll a few inches the other way (e.g. back if you've got it in a fwd gear), you have to wait till it releases before it will roll.

[the2ems]

This is what the book says.