The brake hold button in the Honda CR-V eliminates the necessity of pushing the brake pedal. Press the button, and it will hold the brake for you. Sounds amazing, right? But how do you use the Honda CRV brake hold, and is it reliable?
Press the Brake Hold button beneath the Parking Button (P) in the Honda CR-V to engage the brake hold. It will put pressure on the brake, and now you can remove your feet from the brake pedal. The feature works well and is reliable except in some situations.
You must be wondering what those situations are and why the feature is unreliable. Fasten your seatbelt as I explain everything about the Honda CR-V’s brake hold button. Besides, I will also discuss some brake hold system problems and their solutions.
What is Honda CR-V Brake Hold?
The Honda CR-V brake hold is useful when you stop somewhere only for a few minutes. It allows you to remove your feet from the brake pedal while still holding the brake.
We usually do not turn off the engine when we stop at a traffic signal or somewhere on the road to talk to someone. Instead, we press the brake pedal. But this can be tiring for our feet.
That’s why Honda brings the brake hold feature to CR-V SUVs. When you activate it, it will put brake pressure on the wheel. Then you can remove your feet and relax. It prevents your car from moving even if you are on an incline.
How do I activate the brake hold feature in my Honda CR-V?
The brake button in a Honda CR-V is below the parking brake (P) button. To activate the brake hold, press the button to keep the engine running. A light on the dashboard will appear, notifying you that the brake hold is activated. However, you must fasten the seatbelt to activate this feature.
If you press the acceleration pedal, it will automatically disengage the brake hold. Besides, it will also deactivate automatically after 10 minutes. If you need to keep it activated for more than 10 minutes, then follow the same process above to activate it again.
How do I activate the electronic parking brake with an automatic brake hold?
You can also automate the brake hold with the electronic parking brake in Honda CR-V Hybrid. With this feature, the brake hold will automatically be activated when you turn off the ignition.
Follow the steps below to turn on the electronic parking brake with automatic brake hold:
Step 1: Turn on the ignition
First, ensure that the ignition is turned on. Then, shift the lever into the park and press the brake pedal.
Step 2: Engage the parking brake
Now, pull up the parking brake switch and then release it instantly. It will activate the parking brake in your Honda CR-V Hybrid. You can find the switch above the brake hold button. (P) is written on the switch to help identify it easily.
Step 3: Pull up the switch
Then again, pull up the parking brake switch and hold it until you hear a beeping sound. After that, release the switch.
Step 4: Automate brake hold
Wait three seconds after step 3. Then, once again, pull up the parking brake switch, wait until you hear two beep sounds, and then release it. Now, the electronic parking brake with automatic brake hold is activated. When you turn off the ignition, the brake hold feature will be automatically activated.
This is a useful feature for stop-and-go traffic or while you are leaving your car. However, to deactivate the feature, you need to follow the same process. But in step 4, you will hear only a single beep to confirm the automatic brake hold is deactivated.
Is the Honda CR-V Brake Hold feature safe to use?
Yes, the brake hold in a Honda CR-V is useful and safe. You can rely on it even when you are stopping your car at an incline.
However, it is unreliable when stopping or parking your car on a steep hill. In such a situation, you will need to put extra pressure on the brake pedal, and the brake hold button might not be enough for it.
I always prefer manual brakes on steep hills. In case you need to leave your car, put something beneath the tires to guard it and prevent it from rolling.
Another reason you cannot rely solely on the brake hold on steep hills is that the brake hold may malfunction. Like every other function, it is also susceptible to damage. But you can easily fix that.
Common reasons why Honda CR-V brake hold might not be working and solutions
There can be various reasons why the CR-V brake hold does not work. If you are engaging the function while the ignition is on, ensure you have fastened the seatbelt well. Still, if the brake hold does not work, then there can be other problems.
Here are some of the common Honda CR-V brake hold system problems and their solutions:
- Low or dead battery
Low voltage and dead battery are two of the most common reasons behind a brake hold failure. To be sure whether this is the problem or not, you can check the battery with a multimeter. Sometimes, disconnecting the battery for around 30 minutes also solves the problem.
However, jump starting is the most common fix to the brake problem due to a bad battery. Many Honda CR-V owners said they had a brake hold problem, and they jump-started their vehicle. It worked for them, and the problem never occurred again.
- Stuck brake hold switch
Sometimes you may find the brake hold switch not working properly. It happens due to dirt and debris around the switch. You can face this problem if you do not regularly clean your SUV’s interior, you can face this problem.
But the good news is that you can easily fix this problem. Take a towel and a good car interior cleaner, such as the Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner and Protectant. Then clean up the dirt and debris, and the switch should work fine.
- Damaged brake hold switch
If the above fix does not work, then probably the brake hold switch is damaged. In that case, you will need to replace the switch.
Once you have a new switch, open up the switch compartment using a flathead screwdriver. The parking brake and brake hold switches are attached, and both will come out. Disconnect the switch from the wires and install the new switch.
- Faulty wiring
Lastly, faulty wiring can also lead to brake-hold system problems. Open up the brake-hold switch compartment to see if there is a wiring issue. If yes, then fix or change the wiring to solve the problem.
However, if none of these work, then you should visit a mechanic. If you still have a warranty, visit a Honda dealership for free service.
How can I tell if my Honda CR-V brake hold system is malfunctioning?
A message on your Honda CR-V dashboard will appear if the brake hold system is malfunctioning. You will get messages such as “Brake System Hold Problems” or “Brake System Problem.”
If you get such a message, then try the solutions above. However, you may also need to check the whole brake system of your vehicle. Most of the time, problems in the braking system lead to brake hold malfunction.
How much does it cost to repair a faulty Honda CR-V brake hold system?
Depending on the nature of the problem, it will cost around $50 to $250 to repair a faulty Honda CR-V brake hold system. The cost may increase if the whole braking system is bad.
FAQs
- Can I use the brake hold feature on a hill or incline?
Yes, you can use the brake hold feature on low inclines or hills. However, the brake hold feature is unreliable in the case of steep hills or inclines. It usually works, but there is a risk of brake hold failure.
- Is it safe to continue driving my Honda CR-V if the brake hold feature is not working?
Yes! It is safe to drive your Honda CR-V even if the brake hold feature is not working, as long as the manual brake is working. It is only an additional feature, and you will not always need that. But when stopping on an incline, remember to use the brake pedal manually.
- Is it OK to drive with brake hold on?
The brake hold automatically disengages when you accelerate your car. Hence, the question of whether it is OK to drive with the brakes held on is not valid.