Is it good to drive with auto hold on?
The auto hold feature in modern vehicles can be a convenient tool, but its use requires careful consideration. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of driving with auto hold on, helping you make an informed decision about whether it's the right choice for your driving habits.
What is Auto Hold?
Auto hold is a feature found in many newer vehicles that automatically applies the brakes when the car comes to a complete stop, even if the driver's foot is lifted off the brake pedal. This can be particularly useful in stop-and-go traffic or when waiting at a red light, as it eliminates the need to constantly press the brake pedal to keep the car stationary.
Advantages of Using Auto Hold
- Reduced Foot Fatigue: Auto hold can help alleviate the strain on the driver's foot, especially during long periods of stop-and-go driving or when waiting at traffic lights. This can be especially beneficial for drivers who experience leg or foot discomfort.
- Improved Convenience: The auto hold feature can make driving in heavy traffic or at intersections more convenient, as the driver doesn't have to constantly press the brake pedal to keep the car stationary.
- Enhanced Safety: By automatically applying the brakes, auto hold can help prevent the car from rolling forward or backward unexpectedly, potentially reducing the risk of collisions.
These advantages can make auto hold a useful feature for many drivers, particularly those who frequently encounter stop-and-go traffic or need to wait at traffic lights for extended periods.
Potential Drawbacks of Auto Hold
- Unexpected Behavior: In some situations, the auto hold feature may engage unexpectedly or fail to disengage when the driver expects it to, leading to confusion or potentially dangerous situations.
- Increased Brake Wear: The constant application of the brakes by the auto hold system can lead to increased wear and tear on the brake components, potentially requiring more frequent maintenance or replacement.
- Reduced Responsiveness: In certain driving scenarios, such as when attempting a quick start or needing to react quickly, the auto hold feature may slightly delay the vehicle's response, which could be a concern for some drivers.
These potential drawbacks are important to consider, especially for drivers who prioritize immediate responsiveness or who may encounter challenging driving conditions that could be exacerbated by the auto hold feature.
Recommendations for Using Auto Hold
Whether to use the auto hold feature ultimately depends on your driving habits and preferences. Here are some recommendations to help you decide:
- Familiarize Yourself: Before relying on auto hold, take the time to understand how the feature works in your specific vehicle and become comfortable with its behavior in various driving situations.
- Consider Your Driving Conditions: If you frequently encounter stop-and-go traffic or need to wait at traffic lights, auto hold may be a useful feature to enable. However, if you prioritize immediate responsiveness or encounter challenging driving conditions, it may be better to leave the feature disabled.
- Monitor Brake Wear: If you do choose to use auto hold, be mindful of any increased brake wear and schedule maintenance accordingly to ensure your vehicle's braking system remains in optimal condition.
Ultimately, the decision to use auto hold should be based on your individual driving needs and preferences, as well as a thorough understanding of the feature's capabilities and limitations in your specific vehicle.
Can I shift my automatic while driving?
On most modern vehicles, the electronics simply won't allow you to shift in a manner that will damage your vehicle. The car will either lock you out of shifting into reverse or drive until the vehicle reaches a safe speed, or delay the shift for you.
Does auto hold consume more fuel?
Yep. That is exactly what I was referring to. If rpm goes higher then fuel consumption is also higher (marginally).
Is auto hold always on?
Auto Hold will stay on until you engage the Electronic Parking Brake or turn off your vehicle, whichever comes first. If you want to turn the feature off, just press and hold the Auto Hold button. Whenever you'd like to use it again, just press and hold the button once more.
Is auto hold the same as emergency brake?
The Auto Hold function is an extension of the electric parking brake and offers you more convenience and extra safety. Operated via the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit, it stops your car from rolling away accidentally when standing still or setting off.
How long does auto hold last?
Keep in mind that Auto Hold doesn't work in some instances, like if you're in reverse or park. It will stay activated until you turn your vehicle off or push your Brake Hold button again, and must be activated each time you start up.
Can I drive with auto hold on while driving?
Operating condition(s) To reduce the risk of an accident, do not activate AUTO HOLD while driving downhill, Reversing or parking your vehicle. If the AUTO HOLD indicator lights up yellow, the AUTO HOLD is not working properly. Take your vehicle to a professional workshop and have the system checked.
Is it better to use auto hold?
It's convenient, more comfortable, and safer in situations where your car needs to be kept stationary with the engine running - in slow moving traffic, for example. The system is operated via the ABS/ESP hydraulic unit. When you brake your car to a stop, Auto Hold keeps the braking pressure you last applied.
Does auto hold stay on?
Auto Hold will stay on until you engage the Electronic Parking Brake or turn off your vehicle, whichever comes first.
Is it safe to drive with brake hold on?
Having the car hold the brake for you until you step on the gas is unlikely to cause an accident, but it could annoy, or give the feeling that "something is wrong with this car" if it wasn't something the driver actively and knowingly engaged. But "cause an accident if unexpected" is possible.
What are the benefits of brake hold?
This frees the driver from having to continually press the brake pedal while waiting for a traffic light or while in a traffic jam, thus reducing foot fatigue. When beginning to move again, the braking force is automatically released when the driver steps on the accelerator, so no additional operation is required.
