Is the hand brake redundant?

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

In my Skoda the button is in the centre console, where a regular hand brake would be. It is where Volvo should have put it originally, they may have moved it now. On my xc60 I was always looking for the button, on my Superb I never have to look. It was a very odd bit of design by Volvo.

It was the same for the rented Vauxhall Insignia that I had for a few weeks in 2011. Easy to reach, and controlled using the left hand.

Can't say the same for the sunglasses holder, which was in the roof just above the driver's door, and which could only be opened using the left hand, meaning that I had to reach across and block my forward vision.

This was a let-down after two Mondeos, wherein the sunglasses were stored in a roof compartment above the rear view mirror. Having said that, the sunglasses always rattled in my 2009 Mondeo. Annoying.

Sadly, my V70's sunglasses holder is disguised as the door pocket.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

It was the same for the rented Vauxhall Insignia that I had for a few weeks in 2011. Easy to reach, and controlled using the left hand.

Can't say the same for the sunglasses holder, which was in the roof just above the driver's door, and which could only be opened using the left hand, meaning that I had to reach across and block my forward vision.

This was a let-down after two Mondeos, wherein the sunglasses were stored in a roof compartment above the rear view mirror. Having said that, the sunglasses always rattled in my 2009 Mondeo. Annoying.

Sadly, my V70's sunglasses holder is disguised as the door pocket.

I store the sunglasses behind the front console. The only possible use I could 5hink of for the wasted space.

Paul.

[Harvey1512]

Originally Posted by green van man

I store the sunglasses behind the front console. The only possible use I could 5hink of for the wasted space.

Paul.

A classic case of design over function.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

A classic case of design over function.

Maybe Volvo should have promoted that space as sunglasses stowage.....

[Clan]

volvo are selling off their sunglasses holder for less than £20 which goes in the drivers grab handle area i believe ...

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Clan

volvo are selling off their sunglasses holder for less than £20 which goes in the drivers grab handle area i believe ...

Hmmmmm!

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Clan

volvo are selling off their sunglasses holder for less than £20 which goes in the drivers grab handle area i believe ...

Now, £130 of Oakley sunglasses in a z £20 holder swinging on the door. Mmm, no thanks, behind the front facia then if they fall they are on the floor not the road.

Paul.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by green van man

Now, £130 of Oakley sunglasses in a z £20 holder swinging on the door. Mmm, no thanks, behind the front facia then if they fall they are on the floor not the road.

Paul.

Have you ever seen a holder ? It is soft lined and and has a soft damped self closing hinge which closes the box ..it is like a proper glasses case .

[phil1968]

The handbrake on my Merc Vito van is foot operated in the old-fashioned ratchet way with a dash-mounted release, whoever thought that was a good idea on a manual transmission vehicle Makes pulling out of uphill junctions interesting; I now have quickly switching my foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator whilst simultaneously engaging the clutch down to a fine art

[dingov70]

At least with the electric handbrake you know it is firmly on ... ( It's cheaper to make too of course ! )[/QUOTE]


I have to disagree with all you posted . I test electric handbrake daily ( as an MOT tester ) , many require multiple attempts to achieve full effort and NO WAY are several hundred pounds worth of electronics / electric motor / actuators / whizzo gizmo's cheaper or better than a mechanical method of applying a parking brake .
Trying to perform any sort of adjustment / repair WITHOUT a diagnostic device is simply not going to happen

I would also shudder at the number of well intentioned people who use park to hold their expensive car on a hill .