Focus ST - how does the electronic parking brake work with a manual gearbox?

[Scam]

We’ve hired quite a nice Focus ST from Enterprise (got lucky). It’s a manual, but has an electronic parking brake with a ‘P’ switch that the lady described as a mini handbrake. (Goes up and down) But it also has an ‘A’ button which appears to be lit up as ‘ON’ whilst driving.

So err, how do we work this What happens on a hill start? We had an automatic last time and just had faith that it kicks in, this seems like a halfway house My girlfriend is driving, wish us luck lol… TIA.

 

[Janesy B]

A is auto hold so it applies the brakes while you're at a stop. P switch is parking brake, you only need to use it for parking.

The handbrake will automatically apply when you remove the seatbelt or open a door. I rarely manually activated it when I had my MK4 ST.

Auto Hold

Auto Hold keeps the vehicle at a complete stop until you press the accelerator. This is useful in stop-and-go traffic and at traffic lights, so you can relax your foot more comfortably. The rear brake lights remain illuminated when Auto Hold is engaged.Using Auto...

www.ford.co.uk

 

[Scam]

Thanks @Janesy B so err on a hill we shouldn’t roll backwards even if we haven’t manually engaged the parking brake?

It’s doesn’t have a hand icon, just an ‘A’

 

[Janesy B]

Thanks @Janesy B so err on a hill we shouldn’t roll backwards even if we haven’t manually engaged the parking brake?

It’s doesn’t have a hand icon, just an ‘A’

As long as A is shown on the dash showing that auto hold is engaged. It'll have the usual handbrake icon if the parking brake is active.

 

[Scam]

As long as A is shown on the dash showing that auto hold is engaged. It'll have the usual handbrake icon if the parking brake is active.

Seems to be. Cheers. We survived. Really need to buy a car rather than deal with new rentals every time