Just a thought on the auto-hold brake feature

[ctag]

I saw posts recently about how the brake hold feature is just for lazy/distracted driving. I don't disagree, but did notice something that may help explain why it exists.

With the hybrid coach on, I can see that more electricity is used while stopped if I leave my foot on the pedal, likely because the electric version of a brake booster is working harder. The auto hold feature is probably a way to save battery at long stops. Likely not a big difference if having control over the brakes matters to you (I certainly don't blame that thinking).

With foot on pedal:

With auto hold only:

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Interesting
As a hybrid owner myself hmmm.
Every little bit helps.
Thank you

 

[Joe Strummer]

Doesn't explain why it is a feature on EcoBoost Mavericks. Personally I like it. I often have to cross a busy highway between Vancouver and Whistler. I can be waiting a long time for the light to turn green.

Also, the default setting on the EB is the feature is disabled and the driver has to enable it.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I saw posts recently about how the brake hold feature is just for lazy/distracted driving.

Interesting findings; thanks for sharing. Though I don't agree with the lazy/distracted driving concept. I hadn't seen those comments anyway... Spoiler alert: If I am distracted when the light turns green, you are going to have to wait on me to move my foot off the brake and move it to the gas pedal just the same as you would have to wait on me moving my foot from the floorboard to the gas pedal...

As Joe said, your findings wouldn't necessarily explain why it is on the Ecoboost models. And like him, I like the feature. It did take me a few weeks to get used to it (and I still get confused when my wife's unequipped car starts rolling when I take my foot off the brake... )

Honestly I think the OEMs just add it as a convenience feature because it is a low-cost item. If they are already building in the braking equipment anyway, the auto-hold really just comes down to coding and a switch. And I think the opt-IN operation of it is mostly due to it being so confusing if you are not used to it.

 

[identifyasatruck]

I saw posts recently about how the brake hold feature is just for lazy/distracted driving. I don't disagree, but did notice something that may help explain why it exists.

With the hybrid coach on, I can see that more electricity is used while stopped if I leave my foot on the pedal, likely because the electric version of a brake booster is working harder. The auto hold feature is probably a way to save battery at long stops. Likely not a big difference if having control over the brakes matters to you (I certainly don't blame that thinking).

With foot on pedal:

With auto hold only:

thanks.
- in the top pic you had the auto-hold on (green hand indicator) and your foot was on the brake.
- in the 2nd pic you used auto-hold alone

i am not at my car, but if i can remember. i will look at the coach screen and see if theres a difference with foot on the brake and auto-hold disabled.

i rarely use auto-hold so i probably wont remember to try this.

Edit-

ok i tried it. i didnt take a pic, but you can play this game at home.
- holding the brake pedal down without auto-hold will look a lot like your 1st pic.

- interestingly, as you lighten up on the brake pedal, the electric light get thinner. sort of like feathering the gas pedal...this is feathering the brake pedal. i could get the line real thin with a light brake touch before rolling.

thanks for bringing this up, i never would have noticed before. thats some serious battery micromanaging.

 

[Nosrepmodnar]

I use it, it prevents you from continuing the chain of accidents if hit from behind since your foot doesn't slip off the brake.

Who is calling users of this lazy? the ones trying to use adaptive cruise control and lane assist to self drive?

 

[Maverick Teacher]

I don't completely trust mine since I've never had that feature on a vehicle before.
I hover my foot over the brake pedal while it's on if there's a car in front of me ha ha

 

[Pappamoto]

If Ford would just give us a little larger HV Battery, then we wouldn't have to go to extremes of feathering the brake or using auto hold to preserve our charge!!

 

[sapperforward]

I saw posts recently about how the brake hold feature is just for lazy/distracted driving. I don't disagree, but did notice something that may help explain why it exists.

With the hybrid coach on, I can see that more electricity is used while stopped if I leave my foot on the pedal, likely because the electric version of a brake booster is working harder. The auto hold feature is probably a way to save battery at long stops. Likely not a big difference if having control over the brakes matters to you (I certainly don't blame that thinking).

With foot on pedal:

With auto hold only:

I like to use it in long traffic jams and when I get stuck in the middle of steep hills helps with the potential roll back when idiots are right up on your ass

 

[ctag]

I re did the test without auto hold enabled. Same increased power draw.

Also noticed another thing today: if you just barely hold the brake, the auto hold won't engage. So now I don't have to disable (and remember to re enable afterward) it in stop and go traffic.

 

[Jgjames54]

I saw posts recently about how the brake hold feature is just for lazy/distracted driving. I don't disagree, but did notice something that may help explain why it exists.

With the hybrid coach on, I can see that more electricity is used while stopped if I leave my foot on the pedal, likely because the electric version of a brake booster is working harder. The auto hold feature is probably a way to save battery at long stops. Likely not a big difference if having control over the brakes matters to you (I certainly don't blame that thinking).

With foot on pedal:

With auto hold only:

I have neuropathy and find this feature very useful at times. Especially at long traffic lights. Only thing I don't like about it is, when you shut off the truck it doesn't shut off. Auto start/stop bypass does. It's backwards to me, it should shut off and auto start/stop bypass stay on.

 

[HeyBales]

I re did the test without auto hold enabled. Same increased power draw.

Also noticed another thing today: if you just barely hold the brake, the auto hold won't engage. So now I don't have to disable (and remember to re enable afterward) it in stop and go traffic.

The same brake system is used in auto or manually - the amount of pressure is different.
They are using what they know is minimal required, you are using more.
As prior post pointed out - there is a real difference in amp usage depending on how hard you press.

But indeed, to get it to stick, you initially have to press hard enough it knows this is not just creeping desired.

USING AUTO HOLD

1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop. The auto hold active indicator illuminates in the information display.

1. Release the brake pedal. The system holds your vehicle at a standstill. The auto hold active indicator remains illuminated in the information display.

1. Apply the accelerator and drive off in a normal manner. The system releases the brakes and the auto hold active indicator switches off.

Note: The system only activates if you apply enough brake pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a standstill.

 

[Cherokee]

I have neuropathy and find this feature very useful at times. Especially at long traffic lights. Only thing I don't like about it is, when you shut off the truck it doesn't shut off. Auto start/stop bypass does. It's backwards to me, it should shut off and auto start/stop bypass stay on.

Turbos spin at very high RPM.
Auto stop/start stops oil flow to the turbo bearings while they are still spinning down.
Not smart.
Part of my start up preflight/procedure is to disable start/stop. While my hand is right there clicking my seat belt in.
Always.

 

[TwoTone]

Auto hold has been a feature on vehicles long before a hybrid was ever released.
Started with hill on manuals.

 

[jorl]

love the brake auto-hold-wifey don't

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