Hill Assist

[lochnessmonster]

I like the hill assist feature. My universal remote also works from way out in the street before I'm even in front of my house. I'd estimate it at about 80ft. range. This car is f@#king awesome.

[Viktimize]

I for one, wasn't having any meltdown. I simply wasn't aware that a manual shift car would ever need some "hill assist mechanism" (with the caveat that there's an accessible hand brake). When you were taught to drive a manual, you learned to use the handbrake when stopping on a hill, not a quick brake release. You engage the handbrake which stops you from moving aft, then engage the clutch and shift into 1st. Releasing the clutch, you can feel the car begin to lurch forward against the handbrake. You then simply release the handbrake. It's SO easy I just can't imagine why anyone would need a "hill assist".

I'm not making any "macho" argument and I understand that all these types of "betterments" make the Viper just that much more accessible in the sports car marketplace. But at some point, and I'm not suggesting this is that point, I begin to wonder if the sheer thrill of driving gets diminished. Perhaps it's odd, but I get some sense of satisfaction from safely and effectively driving what is arguably a "race car" on the street. Might be just me.

Except that on the Viper you are never supposed to use the handbrake due to some design flaw that doesn't allow it to release correctly, and eventually you burn through the E-brake pads.

[darbgnik]

I like the hill assist feature. My universal remote also works from way out in the street before I'm even in front of my house. I'd estimate it at about 80ft. range. This car is f@#king awesome.

Ya, Idunno man? It works fine from the street for all my other vehicles, but I almost have to be at the door with the Viper. And the door opener is basically brand new.

Except that on the Viper you are never supposed to use the handbrake due to some design flaw that doesn't allow it to release correctly, and eventually you burn through the E-brake pads.

Way way off topic now, and I know they are basically the same calipers as the Gen 3 n 4 including the ebrake, but I thought I read they corrected that issue of wearing out the one pad with the Gen V.....

My Gallardo has the same ebrake caliper and doesn't have that issue.

[Viktimize]

Ya, Idunno man? It works fine from the street for all my other vehicles, but I almost have to be at the door with the Viper. And the door opener is basically brand new.



Way way off topic now, and I know they are basically the same calipers as the Gen 3 n 4 including the ebrake, but I thought I read they corrected that issue of wearing out the one pad with the Gen V.....

My Gallardo has the same ebrake caliper and doesn't have that issue.

I don't know? I asked specifically about it when I upgraded from my Gen3 and was told not to use the E-brake in this car either.

[City]

Maybe not for hand brake turns at an autocross, but for holding a car on a hill? Me thinks you are misinformed.

[johniew398]

My first vehicle with hill assist was a 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth so I got used to it when I traded the ACR in for a Gen V. Could live without it but like it in some situations.

[Viktimize]

Maybe not for hand brake turns at an autocross, but for holding a car on a hill? Me thinks you are misinformed.

Run it by Jon at PartsRack. He is the one said it. You're apparently not supposed to even use it for parking your car on a flat surface.

Either way, Hill Assist adds no weight, and if you use your e-brake or you're quick on the pedals anyway, then you won't even know it is there. So again, seems really silly that people get all bent out of shape about it.

[swexlin]

Except that on the Viper you are never supposed to use the handbrake due to some design flaw that doesn't allow it to release correctly, and eventually you burn through the E-brake pads.

This. The only time it gets used is if I park on an steep incline, or when the park it at the dealer when being serviced.

[BlknBlu]

has anyone tried the drift assist feature?

Bruce

[v10enomous]

The more the merrier with these nannies on the new cars. I'm over it. So long as they can keep the car at 3,300lbs who cares. They aren't going to stop adding stuff so if you want old school, you're going to have to buy an old car or have at least 2 cars. I'd like to see them add a front camera next.

[Viktimize]

has anyone tried the drift assist feature?

Bruce

I think the technical term for that is "Gas Pedal".

[lochnessmonster]

I use my e-brake every time I park the car. I haven't had any problems.

[Viktimize]

I use my e-brake every time I park the car. I haven't had any problems.

I always did on my Gen3 as well and had no issues. But it was well reported by JonB that the e-brake self adjusts tighter slightly every time you use it. So over time it just burns off the e-brake pads, and next thing you know you're running metal on metal and destroying your rear discs. I quit using the e-brake just in case it is true. Came from a reliable source after all.

[lochnessmonster]

Wow, that is bizarre. Well, I'll tell you what, I'm going to keep using it and see what happens. I just can't bring myself to not using it. It's a "principle" thing. The car is $135K taxes in. I haven't noticed any difficulty "moving off" after it has been set. I'll keep a look out for it, and when I get to Willowbrook next week, I'll have them check the brake pad wear and report back. If the brake pads have been dragging, a good 1600 km road trip will reveal that issue for sure

[darbgnik]

So the issue with the Gen 3 ebrake was that it would wear out the pad on one side, the inside if I remember correctly. There was a quirky adjustment to them as well. The first pull of the ebrake of the day would let the lever go 90 degrees, but the second pull would only go up 45 degrees using the same pulling force.

I know the ebrake lever in my new one moves the same amount every time, so we know that's different. I use mine everywhere except the pits at the track so I dont create a hot spot. After a few more miles, only have 3000 already, I'll check the pads, if I remember. Even if it does drag, you can swap the pads inside to outside and continue on for the same mileage. But I'm using as if it were fine regardless........

Whoever wants to look at theirs, just make sure you look at both sides for pad thickness, not just the outside.

[johniew398]

I rarely use the eBrake after having to replace the emergency brake pads on my Gen IV at less than 10,000 miles. Several people who should know have cautioned about using your eBrake.

[lochnessmonster]

So the issue with the Gen 3 ebrake was that it would wear out the pad on one side, the inside if I remember correctly. There was a quirky adjustment to them as well. The first pull of the ebrake of the day would let the lever go 90 degrees, but the second pull would only go up 45 degrees using the same pulling force.

I know the ebrake lever in my new one moves the same amount every time, so we know that's different. I use mine everywhere except the pits at the track so I dont create a hot spot. After a few more miles, only have 3000 already, I'll check the pads, if I remember. Even if it does drag, you can swap the pads inside to outside and continue on for the same mileage. But I'm using as if it were fine regardless........

Whoever wants to look at theirs, just make sure you look at both sides for pad thickness, not just the outside.

My e-brake functions the same way. It pulls the exact same amount every time, and releases completely, to the best of my knowledge. I will make sure the tech checks both sides of the pad thickness, not just the outside, and I'll report back.

[A C R]

where I live there are several hills so hill assist helps---in the old days at a lite on a hill the car behind would lay back a few feet now they get 6" off your back bumper that leaves little room for error with the weather here we don't get a lot of stick practice "better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it" m2c

[texasram]

I rarely use the eBrake after having to replace the emergency brake pads on my Gen IV at less than 10,000 miles. Several people who should know have cautioned about using your eBrake.

this issue is far less prevalent on the gen v

[BlueAdder]

That's the first thing I disabled on my Focus, followed up by the TPMS crap.
I didn't realize that the Viper had one to be honest but now that I think about it, I understand why when I'm in my driveway, when I release the brakes, the car will just stand there for a little while before rolling off

[texasram]

if i knew about hill assist before i took delivery, the wife wouldnt have caught me stalling while pulling it into the driveway for the first time on camera

[PkB2014]

if i knew about hill assist before i took delivery, the wife wouldnt have caught me stalling while pulling it into the driveway for the first time on camera

Glad I'm not the only one.

[Dr.Ron]

If you know how to drive a stick I don't thing you need it and will probably find it annoying.

^^^This!