Do I still need to engage the electronic parking brake when auto-hold is activated?
3 Answers
When auto-hold is activated, there is no need to engage the electronic parking brake. The electronic parking brake system integrates temporary braking during driving with long-term braking after parking, and it uses electronic control to achieve parking braking. It is an extended function of the electronic parking brake. After activating auto-hold: Once this function is enabled, drivers no longer need to worry about forgetting to release the parking brake or the vehicle rolling when parked. Advantages of auto-hold: During driving, if a temporary stop is required, the system will automatically brake the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling after it comes to a complete stop.
I've been driving a car with Auto-Hold for several years. When waiting at traffic lights or making brief stops in the city, it automatically applies the brakes for me. Once I release the pedal, the car stays stationary, which is quite convenient. However, for prolonged parking situations—like waiting outside a shopping mall for someone or stopping on a slope for more than a few minutes—or when I plan to turn off the engine and exit the vehicle, I always manually engage the electronic parking brake. This is because Auto-Hold relies on vehicle sensors and electronic control systems. In cases of low battery voltage, steep slopes, or occasional system failures, it might fail, potentially causing the car to roll. I remember one incident on a slope where I relied solely on Auto-Hold, and the car rolled a short distance. Since then, I've made it a habit: use Auto-Hold for temporary stops, but always engage the parking brake for long stops or when leaving the vehicle to ensure safety. Most modern cars automatically activate the electronic parking brake when the engine is turned off, so if you're parking and planning to shut down the engine, simply turning it off will suffice. In daily driving, these two features complement each other, enhancing both convenience and safety.
As an enthusiast of automotive features, I understand that Auto-Hold and electronic parking brakes serve different purposes. Auto-Hold utilizes the electronic stability program to control the braking system in real-time, automatically maintaining braking force after the vehicle comes to a complete stop, making it ideal for traffic lights or congested areas without requiring manual operation. On the other hand, the electronic parking brake is purely a parking brake mechanism, designed for long-term parking or preventing rollback on slopes. In routine scenarios, short stops may not require engaging the parking brake; however, on inclines, after parking when the engine is turned off, or during engine cooling, the electronic parking brake provides more reliable mechanical locking. In vehicle design, Auto-Hold may fail under malfunction conditions, while the parking brake serves as a redundant safeguard. Users are advised to judge based on parking duration: daily driving can omit the parking brake for convenience, but manual activation is essential before exiting the vehicle or at the moment of engine shutdown. Additionally, attention should be paid to variations among different vehicle models—for instance, high-end cars may feature smarter automatic switching functions—but cultivating a habit of thorough checks is always beneficial.
