What Exactly Is Auto Hold?

You might have noticed the modern electronic parking brake (EPB) system in your vehicle now has an auto hold button. This clever new feature can save your foot quite a bit of fatigue on the road, especially at long stop lights and during traffic jams. Let’s take a look at what it is and how it works.

What Is Auto Vehicle Hold?

The auto hold feature in different vehicles might operate a little differently from each other. However, in general, auto hold will automatically maintain the braking force when you step on the brake pedal. This allows you to avoid foot fatigue because you don’t need to continually press on the brake pedal to keep your vehicle from moving. Auto hold is particularly useful in traffic jams and at traffic lights. Once you step on the accelerator, the brake automatically disengages.

Auto hold is a feature that’s often packaged with the vehicle’s EPB. You can activate the system by pressing the ‘auto-hold’ button near the electric brake switch. The auto-hold light will illuminate to let you know you can safely release the brake pedal.

How Does Auto Hold Work?

As a part of your vehicle’s EPB system, the auto hold is operated by the anti-lock braking system’s (ABS) hydraulic unit. The ABS wheel speed sensors will detect when your wheels are rolling, even slightly, while auto-hold is active and increase the braking force to keep your vehicle at a standstill.

Once your vehicle comes to a stop, the ABS module locks the pressure in the calipers, holding your vehicle in place. Auto hold engages when the vehicle detects the brake pedal being firmly depressed while the vehicle is stopped. It also engages once the speedometer reaches zero. Tapping the accelerator pedal disengages the system in automatic transmission vehicles, and releasing the clutch while in gear disengages the system in manual transmission vehicles.

What Are the Advantages of Auto Hold?

The main benefit of auto hold is reduced fatigue from stepping on the brake pedal. It also helps prevent rolling back on an incline and also inching forward while the transmission is in gear.

Tips for Using Auto Hold

• Press the brakes firmly to make sure there’s enough pressure for auto hold to maintain when it activates.
• You can only activate auto hold while inside the vehicle with the doors closed and your seatbelt fastened.
• When towing a vehicle or a trailer, it’s best to turn auto vehicle hold off.
• While it is safe to use at stoplights and during traffic jams, auto hold does not replace your hand brake for parking. Always be sure to engage your hand brake before leaving the vehicle.

Auto hold is a very handy new feature in modern vehicles, and making use of it can save many a driver’s foot from fatigue. Now that you know more about how it works, perhaps you’ll make use of auto hold the next time you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic.