Another reason I dislike the button E-brake

Yesterday wife got into her Legacy and tried to go; all lights blinking and engine would not turn over. Radar detector threw the "low voltage" on the display.

So I put the battery on the battery tender overnight. This morning, no change.

I figured - okay well, I'll jump it. I put my Accord on the driveway and I figured I'd roll her car out of the garage. But no can't do. The E-brake would not release because there is not enough power.

So I had to move my motorcycle and some other crap out of the garage to bring the Accord in. Finally managed to jump the Legacy.

Anyway - annoying. Never thought of that scenario before but experienced it today.

PS. Dealer replaced the battery and put one of their 30mo replacement / 85mo pro-rated models in, for $175. I thought the original battery was also pro-rated (which was why I took it in) but I guess not. I am about 6 months over 30 month battery warranty. Oh well.

i just leave it in first or reverse, dont really use the electric ebrake

I think there is a way to release it manually for this reason. Probably in the manual someplace.

In your trunk there is a a bar that looks like a long hex tool. You can release the E-Brake manually on one of the sides. I think the passenger rear right under the rear door.

If I remember correctly when you are releasing the E-brake manually it take a few hundred turns with the tool.

I'll get a new battery first but we hardly ever use the E brake anyhow.

One reason I don't like it is. What if I lose my brakes. Electric ebrake won't engage over a certain mph so totally useless there. Though it is called a parking brake rather than an ebrake. I'd still feel more comfortable with a handle for the ebrake next to the shifter.
If for nothing else but to start donuts in the snow easier... Hehe.

If you press it twice, it will engage at any speed.

^not too sure on that but ill give it a try, checked the manual but found nothing.

Originally Posted by eckseleven

If you press it twice, it will engage at any speed.

Next snow I'm checking this out.

hold the brake button down, it'll beep at you, then engage.

As others pointed out, it's all in the owners manual (and described above)

I tested the electronic brake in the snow. If you hold the button it pulses the brake so you don't skid out.

Turn the tool 200 to 250 times!!!!!! That would destroy your wrist!

Originally Posted by DrD123

As others pointed out, it's all in the owners manual (and described above)

You might also want to check out what is written on cars101 about manually overriding the ebrake...something along the lines of don't do it...highly recommended that you do not do this...doing this will be horribly expensive!

Apparently the whole ebrake assembly is supposed to be replaced if you ever have to use the manual release.

link: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/parkingbrakerelease.html

the concern is that once you break the film covering the mechanism, dirt and moisture could get in there and cause a problem. I imagine if you could seal it back up somehow there would be no cause for concern. Otherwise, the parking brake control lists for $450...