NY wrote:

No, it's CRAP. At least it is on our Honda CR-V (with manual transmission).
Whenever you stop on a slight slope, initially using the footbrake, then
apply the handbrake and release the footbrake, the car rolls a few inches
and then comes to an abrupt lurching stop. There seems to be no way to avoid
this; all you can do is release the footbrake gently so the car rolls slowly
and doesn't hit the end-stop so violently.

I've reported it to the Honda garage where we bought the car, and they have
checked it and found it to be "within spec". They say it's a side-effect of
having hill-start assist to prevent the car rolling back for people who
haven't mastered a hill start (which is a requirement of passing the driving
test!).

I'm very surprised that this amount of play in the handbrake mechanism is
regarded as acceptable and that Honda are happy to put their name and their
reputation on the line.

Every other car I've driven (over the past 35 years) has had no play in the
handbrake: if you come to a halt on the footbrake, apply the handbrake and
release the footbrake, the car stays put and doesn't move. I'm assuming that
the car is in neutral or the clutch is pressed so that the transmission
doesn't act as a brake or (if the engine is running) make the car lurch
forward when you let the clutch up.

I had a couple of Volvo 240s (long before hill start assist), and
they had exactly this behaviour. I assumed that, one you took
your foot off the brake pedal, and you were held only on the rear
brake, the suspension wound up.

It was only ever a problem trying to position the towball under
the caravan hitch whilst going uphill.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.