Meet Bertie!

[ianu]

Originally Posted by Zoidy

And I don't have a problem with the parking brake even on the manual gearbox. Got used to it pretty quickly. Yes it makes a clunk if you release with the handle but I don't find it a problem.

..sounds obvious afterwards (I hadn't worked it out until someone on here pointed it out - but to avoid the clunk (from the Handbrake ON position):
Engage brain.
Double check brain engaged.
Car in Neutral.
Right foot on middle brake peddle
Left foot on Park brake peddle
Keep brain engaged
Release Park brake with right hand (RH Drive obviously) -and raise left foot to allow peddle to rise to top of its travel.
Select chosen gear as normal ......and off you go.
It becomes automatic procedure after a while - just wish I could convince my Wife to use it - I hate the clunk.

Obviously if you're going for a hill start - Roys suggestion is a good one too (hadn't thought of that either). Off road - if you've got to use it half way up anything steeper than a wheelchair ramp - good luck.....:-) Auto definitely better for this....

[jeffo]

Originally Posted by ianu

..sounds obvious afterwards (I hadn't worked it out until someone on here pointed it out - but to avoid the clunk (from the Handbrake ON position):
Engage brain.
Double check brain engaged.
Car in Neutral.
Right foot on middle brake peddle
Left foot on Park brake peddle
Keep brain engaged
Release Park brake with right hand (RH Drive obviously) -and raise left foot to allow peddle to rise to top of its travel.
Select chosen gear as normal ......and off you go.
It becomes automatic procedure after a while - just wish I could convince my Wife to use it - I hate the clunk.

Obviously if you're going for a hill start - Roys suggestion is a good one too (hadn't thought of that either). Off road - if you've got to use it half way up anything steeper than a wheelchair ramp - good luck.....:-) Auto definitely better for this....

lol. I did that from the first day. However I normally put the car in drive (or reverse) while the brake is still on and then put my foot on it; pull the handle; release the brake.

I did this because I didn't like the "clunk" noise. I thought it cant be doing the car any good to have such a harsh release. Even the driver who delivered my car, when showing me around it he told me to pull it and let it "clunk". I think if you check the manual it lists the softer approach as the method to release.