Mk4 issues

[Kenneve]

Now on my 2nd Mk4 and still loving them.
However I have a couple of issues, maybe someone can comment.

When stopped, eg at traffic lights, with the handbrake On and still in B or D, is the EV motor still trying to move the car against the the handbrake, or is the power Off in that situation?

Is it just me, or does anyone else find the Mk4 more difficult to reverse, compared with the earlier models?.
I’m thinking perhaps the door mirrors are smaller, or the rear camera view is different, compared with the earlier models.

[Spodric]

I don't understand the point of putting the "handbrake" on when waiting at traffic lights.

Small mirrors do make reversing more difficult. The reversing camera helps a bit. My other vehicle is a Fiat Ducato with huge door mirrors but no reversing camera. I find that large van easier to reverse accurately in some situations than the much smaller Jazz. I think we are heading towards cameras replacing mirrors, like in the Honda-E. For a very small aero advantage and tiny gain in mpg.

[5thcivic]

For a very small aero advantage and tiny gain in mpg.

As an aside, I find the cameras in the E much superior, brighter in all conditions and especially better at night. You can scan the view around like mechanical mirrors and switch between wide views. I've never cleaned them especially once yet, only the normal rear camera with the windsceen. The icing on the cake is the overall 360 degree view when reversing (or switchable at low speed), that is so good you really miss it when not there.

[coldstart]

If the power flow display is any indication then the there is no power flow; regardless of normal brakes or hand brake.
Moreover the manual states to apply the (hand)brakes in order to hold the car on an incline instead of letting it hang in the motor.
So, the (hand)brakes must be a safe option to use.

@Spodric: Using the hand brake doesn't flash the brake lights which may be a courtesy to the person waiting behind you (especially at night and at a prolonged stay at a railway gate)

Reversing:
Since this is my first Jazz I have no comparison to previous models.
However, I have found that reversing solely by camera leaves the car slightly off center compared to reversing by mirrors only.

[shufty]

I don't understand the point of putting the "handbrake" on when waiting at traffic lights.

  Strange comment.
What were you taught on your driving lessons / test.

How long would you sit with your foot on the brake then if you never put on the handbrake?

[Jazzik]

How long would you sit with your foot on the brake then if you never put on the handbrake?

Not for a second! Honda provided us with this nice 'BRAKE HOLD' button that gives us the option to not keep our foot on the brake.
I paid for it, so I use it!

[Kremmen]

I don't understand the point of putting the "handbrake" on when waiting at traffic lights.

I do that to extinguish the brake lights. I don't see the point in them dazzling the vehicle behind, especially at night. I don't like it so I don't do it to others

Each to their own on this though

[Lord Voltermore]

Brake hold is a great feature, especially in stop/ start traffic ,queuing to go through border checks etc  .

I was taught to apply handbrake in my driving lessons, as it would be a test fail.  I do still apply it  ,despite all that effort of  flicking  a switch with my finger, when I consider it more appropriate than brake hold. 

 I was also taught how to use hand signals for left and right turns and slowing down , but life has moved on.   And I will I ever again get to demonstrate my double declutching skills.   (or handbrake turns  )

[Jazzik]

I was taught to apply handbrake in my driving lessons, as it would be a test fail.

They taught me the same thing back in 1966. But I can't remember that there were cars with 'brake hold' back then.
Bob Dylan already knew it... The times they are a-changin'...

[Kremmen]

Q: (because I don't know)

If you're sat on brake hold and you need to exit the car quickly, would it stay with brakes on ?

I remember a colleague with a Citroen BX who had to escape quickly due to a fire and he was delayed due to being sat on the footbrake

[coldstart]

ahem - aren't we getting slightly off topic?

Don't you have anything to contribute about the reversing camera thingy?

[Nicksey]

I don't understand the point of putting the "handbrake" on when waiting at traffic lights.

  Strange comment.
What were you taught on your driving lessons / test.

How long would you sit with your foot on the brake then if you never put on the handbrake?

Agreed. I use the 'handbrake' at every stop, thus keeping control of the car and my feet away from the pedals until required. Also as a courtesy to the driver behind me. Its how I was taught.

As to reversing, I find it easy and the camera coupled with the reversing proximity alarm sensors make it fool proof. I find the mirrors good too, as good as any previous car anyway.

[Lincolnshire Rambler]

The only time i put my handbrake on is at my railcrossing on my daily commute. The train can apppear as quickly as a min or quite a few by the time it eventually appears and the barriers open . In town i tend to use just the brake pedal as it makes for easier creep along as you dont need to touch the accelerator. Either way its a lot easier than a manual gearbox

[Jazzfan49]

Yes the mirrors are small but not a huge problem, can’t comment on the reversing camera as I don’t have one, I always use handbrake hold for convenience in short stop situations but if stationary for more than a second or two then the handbrake is applied, IMHO it’s bad manners and sloppy driving standards sitting stationary with your foot on the brake blinding the poor sod behind you YMMV.
 

[Kremmen]

For reversing I have my door mirrors angled so I can just see the door handles, both sides, and angled slightly downwards so I can also see the rear wheel arches

The mirrors for positioning and the rear camera as a guide as when to stop