There are times when the Ebrake doesn't release. What causes this? What signals does the vette need to know to release the ebrake when the car gets put in gear and gas is applied?

Now this may happen to me more than other people because I've been known to put the Ebrake on when say at a stop light with a slight incline knowing that when I put the car in gear and give it gas the Ebrake should release. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it seems I need to apply the brake pedal itself and then it seems to release. Obviously there are certain conditions that need to be met for the Ebrake to release automatically. What are they?

 

From Page 191 of 2016 Owners Manual -


EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN/
START position.
2. Apply and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the
EPB switch.


Hope this helps

 

No, that's not what I mean. The Ebrake releases automatically. Under what conditions does it release automatically and under what conditions does it not release automatically. I know I can push down on the Ebrake switch.

 

Continue reading on p191 & p192 - I did not go this far originally since I have an automatic. Good luck


Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles with a
manual transmission taking off on a
hill. When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to
be used for the clutch and
accelerator pedals in preparation for
starting the vehicle moving in the
intended direction. In this case,
there is no need to push the switch
to release the EPB.

 

Mine always auto-releases easily when the brakes are warm. The e-brake is a little grabby when cold, but it will auto-release w/ a little extra throttle.

However, I've just gotten in the habit of releasing it w/ the switch as soon as I put my foot on the brake and hit the start button.

 

This does not address the question that I posed. I specifically said "knowing that when I put the car in gear and give it gas the Ebrake should release. But sometimes it doesn't". Your quotation from the manual says "The EPB will automatically release is the vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an attempt is made to drive away". Clearly in my example the car was running, I placed it in gear and I made an attempt to drive away. But the brake doesn't release sometimes. So it has to be more than just the car is running, you place it in gear and attempt to drive it away.

Another person said "it will auto release with a little extra throttle". No, sometimes it doesn't. I mean I gun it and basically I'm wearing through the brake. No I don't do it that long but with enough forcefulness that it's clear the ebrake doesn't want to let go. I've had times when I then step on the brake pedal itself and try again (yeah sure I could just press down on the ebrake thing to disengage it but I'm trying to figure out what's wrong here) and the ebrake releases. I've had other times when it hasn't and I wonder "Perhaps I just need to step on the brake pedal harder. I've even tried turning off the car and back on, which seems to always work. But what I'm trying to figure out is why it fails in the first place.

I really hesitate to take it to a dealer because I have no reliable means of causing the problem. It just happens sometimes.

 

We were just telling you how it's supposed to work and does in other cars. I don't know how to answer your question, but I did mention that mine is also tough to auto-release when cold. Brake shoes and pads are often more grabby when cold.

Perhaps yours is worse. I suspect there is a repair or adjustment procedure. Take it in for warranty service. Tell them it occasionally will not auto-release. Ask them to trouble-shoot and/or adjust it. See if that corrects your issue.

 

Living in San Diego, 60 degrees is considered cold.

I'll ask perhaps next oil change... I was just wondering if others have experienced this...

 

LOL . . . when it comes to brakes, tires, and engines, "cold" means whatever the ambient air temperature is when the car has been idle for some time. "Hot" means after they've heated up from use.

Since the e-brake is engaged when the rotors are hot, and then cool down while pressed upon the braking surface, it's not hard to imagine the e-brake pads/shoes have a tendency to be more "sticky" than once they are heated up. I'd be shocked if it wasn't a rather easy adjustment.

Mine has been sticky (AKA "cold") on a 100 degree day after sitting overnight.

 

I gave up trying to get mine to release automatically 2 1/2 years ago! As you said, a few time it would but mostly not. One day when backing out of the garage I was determined to see if i could get it to release. First I stalled the car. Then I gave it enough gas and it let loose with a bang and the red brake light stayed on all the way into town! When it restarted the light was off!

Have not tried again. Looked at the Service Manual when I got it for an easy adjustment. None found.

 

That is not what I said. I said it mostly works but a few times it doesn't. Way different. I like it and I use it all the time. I like using it at stop lights.

 

There is no need to use it at stoplights on inclines. Your car automatically applies it...its called hill start assist. My cars ebrake does not release automatically. The service guy at the dealership stalled my car 4 times trying to move it with the ebrake on.

 

I know about hill assist. But hill assist only lasts a few seconds. Lights last much longer than that. Plus hill assist doesn't even come on if a decline. Finally hill assist doesn't come on at all unless you have the clutch in and you're in first gear. I can give my left foot a rest at a long light and not have to depress the clutch as I'm assured I won't roll forward or backward by putting on the ebrake.

As for it being "cold", this happens sometimes after driving for tens of minutes if not hours so that's not it either. Indeed, as falconhulk says, it doesn't even ever(?) work for him.

BTW falconhulk, my experimentation shows me that unless the ebrake was engaged when you left the car, when you return and attempt to start the car, your seat will not go to the set position. If your ebrake never works you must experience this a lot!

 

Mine works fine on hills! It sets itself and releases about 1 second after my foot is off the brake! It just doesn't release by trying to move the car after I have it applied with the switch when I park!

Not a big deal I just release it manually. I always set the ebrake when I park, I don't put my car in gear, old habit. I press and hold my #1 button, seat and steering wheel move in position, I start the car and release the ebrake.

 

Meantime, at a light on an incline you have to keep the clutch in and your foot on the brake (or you can switch it to N and just keep your foot on the brake) as you wait for up to 2-3 minutes at a large intersection. Me, I can just engage the ebrake, put it in N and rest my feet. That's really nice after a long hike.

Never said it was a big deal but it demonstrable, at least for me, that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm just trying to figure out what causes it to fail.

And me? I push the clutch in and hit the start button. This causes the seat to move to the #1 position. No need to dig in my pockets for the fob to hit a button. Then place the car in R and start backing out of the garage. The ebrake releases on it's own. All in all, less steps, more automation.

 

2.5 years and mine has never failed to release when I tap the gas pedal.

 

Need to have my seat forward to depress the clutch! I never use my FOB for anything, only press my #1 button on the door panel with my left hand as I'm buckling my belt with my right (multitask) to have wheel move down and seat move forward.

Starting to sound like closing the hatch on my 2014! I still have to have my door (or windows) open or it will not latch! No big deal. Some cars are different! Glad yours works as designed!

 

I hear ya. Fortunately I can just barely make it without having to move my seat forward.

Ah yes that awkward to push left hand maneuver. As alluded to, I've always found that to be awkward.

Yeah I have a 2016 and I'm glad I waited. Front cameras, Android Auto and the hatch fix.

 

You have been told how it works under multiple conditions. If it is not releasing as the manual describes then DON'T JUMP DOWN THE THROUT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP YOU. Just bring the frig'n thing to the dealer.

Bye....

 

I'm not jumping down the throut[sic] of people trying to help me. Are you always this sensitive? Man you really oughta grow up! Geeze. I'm just explaining that the answer doesn't really address my question, which it doesn't. Or do you think I should just accept any old answer even if it really isn't an answer?!? Why you view that as jumping down somebody's throat is beyond me but it's your issue - not mine.