Unexpected features?

[Tino]

I noticed the ESP hill holder function kicking in a couple of times. Gives you an extra second to make good your hill starts. Never been a problem for me but still a welcome feature.

[Gawii]

What exactly does it do and what options do you have with it? (i.e can you switch it on and off and are features activated from the dash?)

[Tino]

Originally Posted by Gawii

What exactly does it do and what options do you have with it? (i.e can you switch it on and off and are features activated from the dash?)

The ESP (Electronic Stability programme) is designed to stop you losing contol when the car is about to understeer (you run wide into a corner) or oversteer (you lose the back end). It applies the brakes to individual wheels when such situations are about to occur, bringing the car back into line. You can switch ESP off, but for normal driving you should leave it on. The fact that ESP can control the brakes and can detect that you are on a hill, means that it can apply the brakes for a couple fo seconds to stop you rolling back as you move your right foot off the brake onto the accelerator when setting off.

[tonywalk]

Originally Posted by Tino

The fact that ESP can control the brakes and can detect that you are on a hill, means that it can apply the brakes for a couple fo seconds to stop you rolling back as you move your right foot off the brake onto the accelerator when setting off.

I've had that on all my cars. It's called a handbrake

[Tino]

Originally Posted by tonywalk

I've had that on all my cars. It's called a handbrake

I think it's you pulling on that lever and having the dexterity to have good clutch / throttle and brake coordination. Do they still test for that these days or is it all theory

[bubble]

Sorry to Hi-jack the thread!! When does your car going for H. Gasket Tino???

[tonywalk]

Originally Posted by Tino

I think it's you pulling on that lever and having the dexterity to have good clutch / throttle and brake coordination. Do they still test for that these days or is it all theory

I haven't got a clue. I passed my test in 1990 before the theory bit came in. Handbrake on (if at lights/junction/etc. for more than a couple of secs). Get biting point when ready to set off and release handbrake. If I can do it...

I actually rolled back on my test and still passed! The car was a crappy Metro with an impossible 1st gear. The gent of an examiner let me off (I drove well for the rest of the test and did the signs bit at the end fine too) as he was cognescent with the car and its foibles. Guy still examining as of 12 months ago - saw him near the test centre and he still had his big bushy beard and hadn't changed one iota from 17 years previous.

[Suasexed]

Hill Holder is a great feature of the ESP system, only thing is it usually holds the brakes on for slightly too long for me. The engine will be reving ready to go, but obviously it doesn't go anywhere until the brakes are disengaged.

ESP for £200 is a bargin

[bubble]

Couple of days ago when it was raining and the front wipers were on I went into reverse and discovered the rear wipers switch on automatically and off again once moving forwards - never had this one on a car before but I am told it is usually found on larger cars.

[Mark Elvin]

I notice that you can actually leave the lights on with the keys out.

In addition to the "follow me home lights", if, after you turn the ignition off, you turn the light switch off, then back on again, the lights come on.