Parking brake counter-intuitive?

[daryllafferty]

I've had my Volt for a month now, but every time I set the parking brake I still have to remind myself that it is PULL to set, PUSH to release.

It just seems counter-intuitive. PUSH should set, PULL should release. Why did they make it this way?

The only thing I can think of is that with a traditional hand brake you pull the lever up to set and let it down to release.

[kj7]

The way I remember: If I'm getting out of the car, I pull out.

That fixed my frustration. ymmv

[MTN Ranger]

I've only used it a few times myself. In fact yesterday while parking on my inclined driveway, I fiddled with pushing and pulling. The "getting out of the car, I pull out" suggestion definitely helps.

[Einar]

It's like the brake in my Mazda B2600 truck - you pull on it to set it, (twist) and push to release it - simple. Similar to the lever brake - pull (up) to set, (push the release button) and push (down) to release. None of this stomp on it to set and then pull a release lever (or step on it again) to disengage. Just pull to engage it, push to release.

[Skotty]

I believe they did it that way because that is how a normal hand brake lever operates. I could see it being done either way, and don't personally feel that either way is more intuitive than the other. If I could choose, I would leave it like it is. It would be interesting to see a poll on it.

[Room_A113]

The way I remember: If I'm getting out of the car, I pull out.

Too funny! I actually have slightly different way of remembering: The direction I move the switch is the same as the direction that I want to go. That is, push the parking brake switch 'forward' when I want my Volt to move forward. Pull it back to stop my Volt. (I guess this only works because I usually don't start driving in Reverse.)

But yes, this is counter-intuitive to floor mounted parking brakes.

[dwl]

Fiddle with it until the 'P' symbol stays on the screen. And then fiddle with it again until it goes away.

This is actually my first vehicle where it's necessary at times, too. The first time I tried to park on a steep hill, I was a little concerned with how easily I was rolling around.

[strangeengine]

I think it's backwards, too.

What I really dislike is that half the time it seems to ignore my request to release. It's like it's distracted by the fact that I just put the car in Drive and it ignores me.

- Mark

[Gary Norton]

The Volt brake is totally intuitive to me. I've had 26 cars and in all but two you pulled the lever to engage and push to disengage.

[Fulgerite]

I've had my Volt for a month now, but every time I set the parking brake I still have to remind myself that it is PULL to set, PUSH to release.

It just seems counter-intuitive. PUSH should set, PULL should release. Why did they make it this way?

The only thing I can think of is that with a traditional hand brake you pull the lever up to set and let it down to release.

I think it's trying to emulate the old handbrake levers. You had to pull them to set the brake. You pressed the button on the end of the handle to release it.