hill assist on a 2011 Symbol?

Our 2011 Peugeot based Symbol ES mentions in the handbook that it has something called Hill Assist. Basically it holds the brake on when doing hill starts so you do not roll backwards...
But whenever I have tried it I end up rolling backwards... So is this an extra (that's not fitted) or is there some magic to make it work!

cheers
mike

Hi

I have a Volkswagen Topaz T5 with Hill Start Assist I try it on a hill it seems to work for 2 or 3 seconds then release. I think it just gives enough time to release the brake and engage the clutch. On my Volkswagen Passat it stops on all the time.

To activate hill start assist press hard on the brake pedal with left foot on clutch. When you take right foot off the brake it stays on for about 2 seconds giving time for you to accelerate and lift foot aff clutch. As soon as van moves the brakes release. It DOES work - if fitted.

Note also that these systems only typically work with the foot brake. If you try to use the handbrake as part of the process (as most of us are taught) then they don't work at all (or don't work at all well).

I was not aware that Hill Assist was fitted so now will just have to try it.

We have it on the Yeti, and it works well.

When we use it on the sloping front drive after the car has not been used for a while, it makes a horrible graunching noise as the brakes come off. Nothing to worry about as it's only a slight film of rust on the disks wearing off, but a bit alarming at first. Doesn't happen after the brakes have been used to polish off the disks.

There you go - that's answered the next question!

I have it on my Smart but not on my Fiat Nuevo, and I really want it on the Nuevo. The one thing missing from these semi autos is the ability to creep. Starting from rest on an incline is a skill that currently escapes me.

dbroada wrote:I have it on my Smart but not on my Fiat Nuevo, and I really want it on the Nuevo. The one thing missing from these semi autos is the ability to creep. Starting from rest on an incline is a skill that currently escapes me.

Agreed - that's true of the DSG boxes fitted to current VWs as well. It makes finely controlled moving on ramps (when levelling the van) much more difficult than with either a manual or a conventional auto.

Hill Assist does not seem to help at all, because it's an "all or nothing" system (i.e. it waits a fixed time and then releases the brakes, and the system stays off until the next time you apply the foot brake fully), or at least that's how it is implemented by VW - though I understand that the systems do vary a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer.

-mojo- wrote:

dbroada wrote:I have it on my Smart but not on my Fiat Nuevo, and I really want it on the Nuevo. The one thing missing from these semi autos is the ability to creep. Starting from rest on an incline is a skill that currently escapes me.

Agreed - that's true of the DSG boxes fitted to current VWs as well. It makes finely controlled moving on ramps (when levelling the van) much more difficult than with either a manual or a conventional auto.

Hill Assist does not seem to help at all, because it's an "all or nothing" system (i.e. it waits a fixed time and then releases the brakes, and the system stays off until the next time you apply the foot brake fully), or at least that's how it is implemented by VW - though I understand that the systems do vary a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Probably true.

The worst thing about the Smart is everyone saying "that's small, it must be so easy to park". Maybe but certainly impossible to go back "a couple of inches".

As you say, the brakes stay on "a while" but it is long enough (in the smart) to get your foot from brake to accelerator. I know I could use the handbrake to the same effect but I've got lazy. I really miss this with the van. I could use the handbrake but it's way down there and not easy to pull on hard enough to hold the van while still being easy enough to release quickly.

I keep meaning to practice left foot braking but the last time I tried it convinced me I need a bigger car park if I am to try it again.

dbroada wrote:but I've got lazy.

That's the reason why I specifically did not want it on my van. I drive several other cars, and I dread forgetting that one of those doesn't have it!

I ~could~ change the coding in the ABS controller to disable it, but I confess that it's so convenient to use that I doubt I ever will...

thanks for the replies. Will try it again (if I can find a hill in Cambridgeshire..) I think I have been using the handbrake which sounds like it disables the system.

cheers
mike