"Functions - Automatic Retensioning at High Brake Disc Temperature
The parking brake is automatically retensioned when the vehicle is stationary and at high brake disc temperature. The brake disc temperature is measured by the EPB control module using a temperature model. J540 measures the actual brake disc temperature three minutes after applying the parking brake.
The brake disc is retensioned at a disc temperature greater than 572 degrees F (300 degrees C), when the ignition is turned off and if the inclination angle is greater than 15%. The brake disc is retensioned at a disc temperature of 932 degrees F (500 degrees C) or higher regardless of whether the ignition is on or off. This is indicated by the flashing of the warning lamp."


"Automatic Brake Pad Clearance Correction
This function has been adopted from the Audi A6. If the driver does not use the parking brake for a lengthy period of time, the distance which the spindle drive must travel to apply the brake pads will increase. This is caused by brake pad wear. When the parking brake is actuated, it may under certain circumstances take much longer to close.
To prevent this, the parking brake function is activated automatically if it has not been activated during the last 620 mi (1000 km) driven. The condition for this is that the vehicle is parked with the parking brake not applied and the ignition OFF."

 

1. It activates automatically on slopes when the engine is on and the brake pedal is held for longer than a couple of seconds. The EPB brake light does not come on. When the brake pedal is released and you move off, EPB automatically disengages. Makes a loud clank when doing so, and if it happens next to a crowd, they'll be looking to see which part of your car fell off, just like an Alfa in the past.

2. When the rear brake pads are worn, and when you engage the EPB, there are 2 sounds - the regular mechanical engagement sound, and a "eeeeewwwwwwww", like a high pitched female teenager on the Disney channel. Not sure what it is, but the dealer says that this is std on all EPB cars. I've heard a couple like this, but to varying degrees. Changing the pads removes this 2nd sound.

 

holy crap!! hello pad deposits if their are pads left...

Kinda cool about the 2nd thing though. Should keep the parking brakes from seizing or will just cause even more of a PITA when they eventually do...

 

a bit worried on bit gradients that i will roll back too much without a handbrake to compensate..

i read this a while back but can't seem to find any information about it now.

 

New to driving a manual? Hills aren't that hard once you get the hang of it :-)

 

unfortunately yeah, first MT car, is hillhold available in US or do i wait for MY 2010

 

You'll get used to a little rollback and being able to catch the car before it moves too much. And with a quattro equipped car hills are even easier since you don't have to worry about wheelspin if its wet. Trust me - it's not that hard. You'll master it in a week.

I've not heard of hill hold being offered, definitely not in the mix for MY09. The EPB will work just like a regular parking brake though so if you need it to hold you on a hill you can do that. It might even do the drive off braking trick after you engage it. I've read about that somewhere a while ago I think. Think of it as a manual hill hold. Even then you won't need it once you get the coordination down.

 

When I was learning to drive manual, adding the parking brake in addition to the three pedals just made things way too complicated. I actually found it easier to find the friction point of the clutch and start normally on hills.

 

Same here. The PB quickly became a pain in the *** to manage.

 

Perhaps the noises have been improved in 4+ years?