(Stupid?) Question about "Auto-H"

I notice that if you set this when you come to a stop you really don't have to disengage it when you want to go. All you have to do is step on the accelerator. The "Auto-H" green light remains lit between the speedometer and the tachometer and the car seems to automatically go back into full auto-H then next time the car comes to a stop. Is there any down side to leaving the auto-H engaged or should you always put your foot on the brake and disengage it from the button behind the shift stalk when you want to begin going again. If you leave it permanently "on" are the brakes always partially grabbing the rotors or anything like that?

Again, sorry I advance if this seems like a stupid question.

Haha... I asked my SA the exact same question! He told me that it automatically disengages completely when the throttle is pushed and only engages when a true complete stop is reached.

Originally Posted by bavariancraving

Haha... I asked my SA the exact same question! He told me that it automatically disengages completely when the throttle is pushed and only engages when a true complete stop is reached.

+1. Auto-H has no effect until you come to a complete stop. You can coast at 1/2 mph and nothing happens. And it doesn't engage the parking brake each time, it simply holds the pads against the rotors until released. If you shut down the car in Auto-H, the parking brake will automatically engage. (And then you can hear the parking brake motor). BTW you can disengage Auto-H while in motion. The only time you have to apply the brake to disengage it is when you are actually stopped and it is holding the car. All that said, I don't always like it, I only use it occasionally.

I think it's a pretty clever system. The only downsides I can find are:

1. It puts on the parking brake for you when you shut the car down. I don't care for that.

2. If you get too used to it and start driving another vehicle or even your vehicle without it, you may start to roll after stopping and not notice it until you tap the guy in front of you.

Originally Posted by Quacker

I think it's a pretty clever system. The only downsides I can find are:

1. It puts on the parking brake for you when you shut the car down. I don't care for that.

2. If you get too used to it and start driving another vehicle or even your vehicle without it, you may start to roll after stopping and not notice it until you tap the guy in front of you.

One other thing -- if you forget it's activated, your car will act "weird" in some maneuvering circumstances. I stopped at a gas station once when I forgot Auto-H was set on and I couldn't figure out why the car wouldn't roll back when I tried to back up to jockey into position at the pump.

You don't find the damn throttle delay annoying enough to have another *feature* delay your take-off even more???

Originally Posted by markl53

+1. Auto-H has no effect until you come to a complete stop. You can coast at 1/2 mph and nothing happens. And it doesn't engage the parking brake each time, it simply holds the pads against the rotors until released. If you shut down the car in Auto-H, the parking brake will automatically engage. (And then you can hear the parking brake motor). BTW you can disengage Auto-H while in motion. The only time you have to apply the brake to disengage it is when you are actually stopped and it is holding the car. All that said, I don't always like it, I only use it occasionally.

Not sure I'm understanding this. You say "the only time you have to apply the brake to disengage it is when you are actually stopped and it is holding the car." I thought it disengaged as soon as you hit the accelerator.

I've tried Auto-H a couple of times and didn't care for it. If I know I will be at a long light or waiting for than a moment or two, I put the car in Park. You can feel it when the burden is lifted off the engine.

Seems a bit of confusion with terms but in a misguided attempt to clarify

If Auto hold is on and engaged ( car stopped ) you can start off moving by only pressing accelerator to go. This actually allows you to get away from stop quicker as you are not transfering the right foot from brake to acc

If Auto hold is on and engaged ( car stopped ) and you want to deactivate system then you must push foot on brake then push button to allow system to deactivate

If Auto hold system is on but not engaged ( car moving ) then you can simply press button to deactivate

Originally Posted by yogi799

You don't find the damn throttle delay annoying enough to have another *feature* delay your take-off even more???

Don't worry, the two "delays" will overlap and you won't notice a thing.

By the way, how often do you do "rabbit starts" anyway? I get about one or two opportunities a day. [And, no throttle delay in my 04/28/11 built 535i.]

Originally Posted by bill13070

If Auto hold is on and engaged ( car stopped ) and you want to deactivate system then you must push foot on brake then push button to allow system to deactivate

If Auto hold system is on but not engaged ( car moving ) then you can simply press button to deactivate

Yes, thanks. Psych had implied that you always need to hit the brake to turn off Auto-H (not engaged) and I was trying to reply to that. The system makes perfect sense. It won't allow a shut-off when it's holding the car unless you take over the brake pedal. Same as with releasing the parking brake.

Originally Posted by Erregend

[And, no throttle delay in my 04/28/11 built 535i.]

Seriously, it goes exact moment you press the gas pedal?? Whoa.... I have a noticeable delay.

Mine has no delay associated with it. It's off the moment I touch the gas.

Originally Posted by yogi799

Seriously, it goes exact moment you press the gas pedal?? Whoa.... I have a noticeable delay.

Do you have SAT? How about Dynamic Drive?

Even quicker throttle reaction in "Sport" or "Sport+" modes and/or with SAT on Sport mode.
Could be that the electronic throttle response curve is steeper in those modes.

Nope just the base model 535i with auto tranny. Damn... maybe I should get it checked out then... I have at least .5 sec delay before the car moves. I should probably start a new thread about it (initially I thought I could live with it, and maybe I could, but why is some don't experience it).

Originally Posted by Erregend

Do you have SAT? How about Dynamic Drive?

Even quicker throttle reaction in "Sport" or "Sport+" modes and/or with SAT on Sport mode.
Could be that the electronic throttle response curve is steeper in those modes.

Unless we're confusing things... What can be QUICKER than instantaneous? My old e46 and MDX move off the line when you step on the gas, same on my '11 Acura TL loaner. What can be QUICKER than that? So I'm guessing you also have a delay, since quicker is in your vocabulary, just maybe didn't notice it as much (NO sarcasm here whatsoever, just trying to make sure we're on the same page talking about "delays").

I definitely need a new thread, sorry for partaking in a nasty hijack.

As mentioned in another thread, I like this feature quite a bit. I only use it when I know I'll be in significant stop and go traffic. It can be a pain in parking lots or gas stations, so I've learned to turn it off in those situations. Taking off is instant and as someone posted above just a tap of the acceleration gets you moving again. BTW - no delay with my car..

Originally Posted by soulunderdog

BTW - no delay with my car..

+1. Standard base 8-spd auto 535i.

i dont care for this feature, came in my 550 xi M , BUT I WOULD NOT paid for this option
use it only in a heavy traffic in NYC

I love this feature. I live in San Francisco with traffic and HILLS. This city was made for Auto-H