General Car Conversation 2024 - part 2
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,834
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
The Palisade we rented a few weeks ago worked really well. There's a threshold in the brake pedal travel (like the kickdown on the accelerator, but higher) that determines whether or not it engages. If you hold the brake pedal above this point, the car rolls as soon as you release it. Push it past that point--either during the initial stop or later when you decide you're going to be sitting awhile--and auto hold engages.
The way I describe MB's application is like a golf cart. If you push in sharp on the brake pedal, it locks.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 94
From: CA, Mid OC
I don’t recall ever using brake hold in my 2016 IS, but it’s been 5 years. The Civic has a button behind the shifter. It does automatically deactivate when you turn off the ignition. I don’t use brake hold in freeway traffic because when it activates in start/stop traffic, it makes for a jerky ride. I like the feature in some situations but I would gladly trade it for blind spot monitoring. Americans like to merge into your blind spot and hover there, so BSM is quite nice to have.
What I disliked about engine start/stop in the rentals I had was both required you to go through the computer menus to deactivate it. If it had simply been a button, I would have been fine with it. Engine start/stop was the most minor thing to dislike about the Citroen CUV. It was truly terrible in every way, but the engine really thrashed back to life if I hadn’t turned off start/stop. The Hyundai Kona was a much better vehicle overall and if engine start/stop was active, the restart was noticeable but it was much smoother than the Citroen.
I’ve said it before but I just don’t like the driving dynamics (if you can even call it that) of CUVs. They are high cars with big tires and I would prefer the non high car version of the platform in every case so far.
What I disliked about engine start/stop in the rentals I had was both required you to go through the computer menus to deactivate it. If it had simply been a button, I would have been fine with it. Engine start/stop was the most minor thing to dislike about the Citroen CUV. It was truly terrible in every way, but the engine really thrashed back to life if I hadn’t turned off start/stop. The Hyundai Kona was a much better vehicle overall and if engine start/stop was active, the restart was noticeable but it was much smoother than the Citroen.
I’ve said it before but I just don’t like the driving dynamics (if you can even call it that) of CUVs. They are high cars with big tires and I would prefer the non high car version of the platform in every case so far.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,185
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN
Originally I really didn’t like it and much preferred how the brake hold on the Lexuses worked.
Then I got used to it and now it’s annoying when another car wants to hold the brake every time I stop.
So overall I prefer being able to decide when I want it to hold the brake and when I don’t.
Then I got used to it and now it’s annoying when another car wants to hold the brake every time I stop.
So overall I prefer being able to decide when I want it to hold the brake and when I don’t.
Also,. I like the idea of the auto parking brake. But you have to hit the gas to start moving.
Just give us back the column shifter please.
I also miss the old GM “ding ding ding” bell, though it’s long gone for good reason. Turn signals and beeps sound like something out of a very, very expensive car now.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 529
From: Maryland
As some call, this is "set and forget". Many find this convenient while others find it inconvenient and prefer the MB's way. I think they all have a point. As for "set and forget" set up, I find it inconvenient going into/out my garage. I slow down to a stop and it activates the Auto Hold then I have to press the gas to move. I'm sure you are fine but this can prompt some collision if the driver accidentally presses too hard. I myself don't like having to press the gas pedal so I turn it off before going into/out garage. It's much easier to just have one foot on gas pedal and inch in/out. For this reason, MB's way is more convenient. When on the road, I prefer "set and forget". But some prefer MB's way. It's "on demand" as Steve describes. I don't remember exactly how Lexus' works. From your saying, it sounds like "set and forget." Does it automatically switch to Park when on "too long"?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 883
Likes: 11
From: TN
Not sure how I feel about brake hold. I’ve only used it on a 3rd Gen Rav4 with hill start assist. It’s nice to use on a steep hill. But I kinda like the car to creep forward when I take my foot off the brake. One thing I hated about my RX 350 was how quickly it would role back on hills when switching from brake to accelerator.
I do however like the auto parking brakes on new cars. Versus the clunky foot pedal type in my GS. It won’t hold the car on a hill unless I push the pedal down REALLY hard.
I do however like the auto parking brakes on new cars. Versus the clunky foot pedal type in my GS. It won’t hold the car on a hill unless I push the pedal down REALLY hard.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,281
Likes: 1,612
From: FL
Drives me crazy.
Ding dong... Ding dong... Ding dong....
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,185
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 94
From: CA, Mid OC
My car does Some weird things. I get that, when I leave it running and get out of the car with the FOB in my pocket that it goes a bit bezerk because it can’t detect the FOB. I don’t get why it goes bezerk after I shut it off and get out. I’m sure there’s a reason. I just don’t care enough to sort it out.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 883
Likes: 11
From: TN
My car does Some weird things. I get that, when I leave it running and get out of the car with the FOB in my pocket that it goes a bit bezerk because it can’t detect the FOB. I don’t get why it goes bezerk after I shut it off and get out. I’m sure there’s a reason. I just don’t care enough to sort it out.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 94
From: CA, Mid OC
It does that, which I get. What I don’t get is, I shut it off and I am out, but it still gives the same beeps. No doors are open. No windows are down, but it wouldn’t ping on that anyway. I’m talking about when it’s not running and still does an alert. No idea why. Again, I stated in my post that I know exactly why it beeps if I leave it running. I do this for less than 30 seconds to open or close my gate at the house. I completely get it. I don’t get that when I park the car, it’s off, and I am about to lock it, what that alert is supposed to mean.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 883
Likes: 11
From: TN
It does that, which I get. What I don’t get is, I shut it off and I am out, but it still gives the same beeps. No doors are open. No windows are down, but it wouldn’t ping on that anyway. I’m talking about when it’s not running and still does an alert. No idea why. Again, I stated in my post that I know exactly why it beeps if I leave it running. I do this for less than 30 seconds to open or close my gate at the house. I completely get it. I don’t get that when I park the car, it’s off, and I am about to lock it, what that alert is supposed to mean.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 201
From: US
This is exactly how I feel. I like the set and forget aspect of BMWs implementation when driving but when pulling in my garage I always have to turn it off. I also turn it off after I drive because I don't want my wife pulling in the garage with it on because I could see her hitting the steps in front of the garage space if the brake hold engages when she is inching in and hits the gas to disengage it.
She was like... "what did you do? It feels so much better now. I was worried that I would hit the gas pedal too much and end up in the dry wall." Lol