On Saturday, 14 September 2019 19:36:08 UTC+1, Paddy Dzell wrote:
Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote :
I drove my first 'stop/start' vehicle today. Press the brake pedal down and
the engine stops, apply the handbrake and release the foot-brake and the
engine restarts - what a pointless system for anyone who drives properly and
uses the handbrake.

We have a Lexus RX450h hybrid and if I drive like I was taught to 44
years ago, ie, stop at red traffic lights, handbrake on and select
neutral, the hybrid system doesn't work because it takes a signal from
the brake pedal switch.

So, when approaching a red light I have to brake the car to a stop,
leave it in D rather than shifting to N, and keep my foot on the
brakes. You don't use the handbrake at all unless you're going to be
stopped for a while.

The engine stops as the car comes to rest and restarts either when you
press the accelerator or if still stopped but the hybrid battery is
getting low, but if the car is in N then the engine would not restart
to recharge the hybrid battery.

I think you can get done for keeping your foot on the brake & not using the handbrake. Even if that's not correct, it's not good practice. If an accidental shunt happens, drivers are prone to taking heir foot off the brake, resulting in more damage & hazard to pedestrians etc, and worse at T junctions.

There was a generation of cars that had hopeless handbrakes. Those are fun to start on steep hills.


NT