What is the " auto h" button below the parking brake button? - XBimmers

2008_BMW_328xi · 01-02-2011, 10:44 AM

See subject for question.

fedinand · 01-02-2011, 10:49 AM

auto hill hold function i believe...

jijioben · 01-02-2011, 10:49 AM

It is the auto hold feature that keeps the parking brake on as you release the brakes until you push on the accelerator (up to a maximum of about 5 seconds). This way, you can start on slopes without backing up when you release the brakes. I tried it on the X6 and I found I could not get used to it: I like releasing the brakes myself. But I have not tried in on the X3 yet... Here's hoping it is as much improved as everything else.

CarolinaBlue · 01-02-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jijioben

It is the auto hold feature that keeps the parking brake on as you release the brakes until you push on the accelerator (up to a maximum of about 5 seconds). This way, you can start on slopes without backing up when you release the brakes. I tried it on the X6 and I found I could not get used to it: I like releasing the brakes myself. But I have not tried in on the X3 yet... Here's hoping it is as much improved as everything else.

To each their own. I've used it a couple of times and liked it each time.

Tauvil · 01-02-2011, 11:09 PM

Didn't realize it's only good for about 5 seconds. Good to know before I tried it at a red light while reaching into the back for something!

jijioben · 01-03-2011, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tauvil

Didn't realize it's only good for about 5 seconds. Good to know before I tried it at a red light while reaching into the back for something!

I think I made a mistake: I read the X5/X6 manual again and there is no mention of the 5-second rule. I definitely waited for longer than 5 seconds while driving with no ill effects. I remember reading about the 5-second delay somewhere, but it must have been for another feature, and I confused it for Auto Hold.

Apologies!

Nahoa · 01-12-2011, 10:45 AM

Used it during a test drive and it held seemingly indefinitely. The dealer described it as a "hill hold" function (though I thought BMW steptronics did that automatically, so confused a bit there) but also more as a function for stop and go traffic. Need only use accelerator for short moves and the Auto H function stops and holds you between moves. Don't know if I can get used to that, but it worked on the lot . . .

acer2974 · 02-06-2011, 10:03 PM

Tried it. No time limit. It's great. Don't have to put your foot on the brake at stop lights. Just touch the throttle and it instantly releases.

Nahoa · 02-06-2011, 10:12 PM

+1 re acer's comments; wasn't sure at first, but after 3 days I think I like the feature. Was a bit apprehensive at first sitting a stop lights and such, but the system held consistently and I realized that if it let go (no reason to think it would) it would be a simple thing to get my foot to the brake. Once I became confident in the system, it produced even smoother take-away from stop (for passenger comfort) than switching foot from break and onto gas and pressing down.

kmarei · 02-07-2011, 11:43 AM

by default is it on or off?

01-02-2011, 10:44 AM	#1
2008_BMW_328xi Private Drives: '11 X3 xdrive28i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 53 iTrader: (0)	What is the " auto h" button below the parking brake button? See subject for question.
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01-02-2011, 10:49 AM	#2
fedinand Major Drives: '11 X3, '11 GTI Join Date: May 2007 Location: MN Posts: 1,271 iTrader: (6)	auto hill hold function i believe... __________________ The X3 The GTI The Birds The Dogs

02-06-2011, 10:12 PM	#9
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	+1 re acer's comments; wasn't sure at first, but after 3 days I think I like the feature. Was a bit apprehensive at first sitting a stop lights and such, but the system held consistently and I realized that if it let go (no reason to think it would) it would be a simple thing to get my foot to the brake. Once I became confident in the system, it produced even smoother take-away from stop (for passenger comfort) than switching foot from break and onto gas and pressing down. __________________

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01-02-2011, 10:49 AM	#3
jijioben Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 F25 X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 242 iTrader: (0)	It is the auto hold feature that keeps the parking brake on as you release the brakes until you push on the accelerator (up to a maximum of about 5 seconds). This way, you can start on slopes without backing up when you release the brakes. I tried it on the X6 and I found I could not get used to it: I like releasing the brakes myself. But I have not tried in on the X3 yet... Here's hoping it is as much improved as everything else.

01-02-2011, 11:09 PM	#5
Tauvil Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 X3 35i - Black Sapphire Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 43 iTrader: (0)	Didn't realize it's only good for about 5 seconds. Good to know before I tried it at a red light while reaching into the back for something!

01-12-2011, 10:45 AM	#7
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	Used it during a test drive and it held seemingly indefinitely. The dealer described it as a "hill hold" function (though I thought BMW steptronics did that automatically, so confused a bit there) but also more as a function for stop and go traffic. Need only use accelerator for short moves and the Auto H function stops and holds you between moves. Don't know if I can get used to that, but it worked on the lot . . .

02-06-2011, 10:03 PM	#8
acer2974 New Member Drives: X35i Min Silver/Black Int Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Charlotte Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	Tried it. No time limit. It's great. Don't have to put your foot on the brake at stop lights. Just touch the throttle and it instantly releases.

02-07-2011, 11:43 AM	#10
kmarei Major General Drives: 1988 M3 Evo II Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 6,043 iTrader: (32)	by default is it on or off?