What are the disadvantages of auto hold?
3 Answers
The disadvantages of auto hold are: 1. When driving in congested sections or reversing, because the brake must be released by pressing the accelerator pedal deeply, the car may start very abruptly and then need to brake immediately, which poses a risk of scraping with other vehicles; 2. The auto hold function may cause some electronic failures; 3. Some driving maneuvers that require the use of the handbrake to lock the rear wheels may not be possible with the auto hold system; 4. The auto hold system relies on the battery to function. When the battery fails, the system may malfunction or be affected by failures of other electronic components.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I find the auto-hold function convenient but also troublesome. It increases wear and tear on brake discs and pads because the system automatically locks the brakes every time you stop, leading to faster part deterioration and higher maintenance costs. When starting off, there's sometimes a noticeable delay when accelerating—especially on steep slopes or in heavy traffic—where the car doesn't respond immediately and may even roll forward, which makes me nervous. These electronic systems rely on sensors and control units, and if they fail unpredictably—like suddenly not working at a red light—it can be dangerous. Plus, as someone used to manual control, I find auto-hold distracting and unnatural. Finally, in rain, snow, or slippery conditions, the system's response slows down, adding to the unease. So, I usually turn it off to avoid the hassle.
When I first started learning to drive, I found the auto-hold function quite convenient. But after prolonged use, I discovered many drawbacks. For instance, while practicing hill starts or reverse parking, it made me lazy with manual operations, resulting in slower brake reactions when driving regular cars—almost causing accidents. Occasionally, the function would lag when activated; I'd press the accelerator at a green light, but the car wouldn't move, then suddenly lurch forward. That jerky motion made me fear rear-end collisions in traffic. Frequent use also accelerates brake system wear, leading to costly and time-consuming part replacements. Additionally, there's a high risk of electronic malfunctions—once, a system bug nearly failed to hold the car, and I had to intervene manually just in time. While this feature saves effort, it hinders the development of real driving skills. I recommend beginners transition using fundamental techniques first.
