A coworker asked me if the r53 had hill assist. I didn't know until now that this even existed and after asking a lot of questions, I'm even more confused WHY it exists. If you don't know, the hill assist feature apparently engages the brake or clutch to keep your car from rolling backwards when moving from a full stop on an incline. I thought you used the brake pedal for that? Anyway, what do you think? Does the r53 need it? Do other models have it? Is it just another thing that will break and complicate things and add another chapter in the service manual?
It only exist for people that don't really know how to drive a stick but do not want to pay for an automatic. :lol:
Hill assist was on 1936 Studebakers They called it a hill holder. It keeps the brakes set until the clutch reaches it's friction point. It is old technology and is pretty robust.
Not necessarily the brake pedal... it's meant more to avoid having to use the emergency brake. My R52 doesn't have hill assist and I do use the emergency brake a lot while driving in San Francisco (think especially about parallel parking into a tight space, on a steep hill). Hill assist definitely would have helped my wife when we first moved to San Francisco. She was anxious stopping on hills and it took her awhile to get experience coordinating with the emergency brake.
Actually, the F56 has hill assist as well as what was described as squat braking. But then I cannot confirm this other than the MINI sales manager telling me that. The F56 will initially apply brake force on the rear brakes in an emergency situation to limit the front end dive in hard braking. Anybody know anything about this?
I first found out about Hill Holders after I bought my 62 GT Hawk, it was concidered an extra on later models if I remember correctly. My grandfather was the one that taught me how to excelerate from a stop on a hill in the woods, no hand brake involved, cost him a few dings in the Jeep from the trailer we were towing but I learned quick.
When backing up while facing downhill, I still have to use the emergency brake to avoid rolling forward. I've heard that hill assist actually works in both directions, but that it takes getting used to after you've developed your automatic reflexes over decades.
My MINI has hill assist. You pull up the lever between the seats & release it as the clutch engages. Works every time. :yesnod:
I found hill assist helpful in heavy stop and go traffic in steep hilly areas. Came in handy several years leaving the paddock at Road Atlanta after night practice for the Petit LeMans.
The first time it kicked in on my previous MINI ('11 MCS) I wasn't expecting it and it surprised the hell out of me. I thought something was hung up in the brake system. Eventually I began to anticipate it and it was less of a bother, actually useful on occasion. I see the Hill Assist as analogous to the Self-Dimming RVM. Not really necessary but it has its moments.
My R56 has it, and it does work forward and reverse. It holds the brake on for a second, and then releases, giving you a chance to move your foot from the brake to the gas. It is not tied to movement of the clutch. I've been driving a stick for 30-plus years, and did fine without it, but I'm not one bit ashamed to say, "I like it." Stuck in stop-and-go traffic on a hill, it is a nice thing to have. CD
Can someone clarify this. If you use the e-brake and release it as the clutch begins to engage, couldn't you do the same with the brake pedal?