Geartronic Winter Mode

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

I have only once applied it when moving and it came on very hard, nothing progressive about it and no ABS, presumably because all four wheels were locked therefore ABS isn't able to determine a differential in speed and operate. I was doing about 20mph. I know that of another driver who tried to apply it faster - about 70mph and he said it wouldn't apply, perhaps he didn't hold it down therefore it wouldn't engage. He was trying to brake quickly he said - though why he didn't just apply the footbrake I don't know.

It isn't something I plan on doing again.

I've tried it tonight since the toads were fairly quiet with people at bonfires.

If you activate and hold the parking brake control at any speed above approx 4 mph you hear a feel a vibration which is the ABS valve block working in reverse - I.e. Pulsing to apply increasing pressure to each circuit to command the use of service brakes on all four wheels. If you hold the switch down it will bring the car to a halt by applying the brakes to maximum effort but tempered using ABS - im guessing that it activates the emergency brake assist (EBA) system.

Every car I've driven that has an electric hand brake does this. It's designed behaviour so suggest everyone tries it (after checking rear view mirror.....!)