MG4 EV Driving off on an Incline Warning

[Alecfrank]

Hi Folks

This is all my fault, but I would just like to let you know, the potential dangers of not ensuring you are actually in "Drive"
We live on an incline, so when you put the car in Drive, it does not release the brake automatically.
You can just hit the accelerator a little harder and it will take the brake off, but when you are parked close to a neighbours car, its a bit too "jumpy"
I therefore put it in drive and then disengage the brake manually, and it will roll forwards without that Jump.

Last week, the neighbours car was not there, but I went through that same process, but I had not pressed the brake hard enough, so when I put it drive, it didnt actually go into drive, I released the brake, and it rolled down the hill, I, not realising I was in neutral.
I got to the Tee junction and there was a car coming from my right, (but a fair distance away) and turned left, and hit the accelarator.
Of course, nothing happened, so I hit the 4 ways and rolled onto the grass verge.

Although I fully accept that it was my ommision that caused this, I strongly believe that this should not be able to happen, if the car is moving and not in drive or reverse, then it should not move.

So taking aside the fact that I should be more careful, please be aware.

Any comments appreciated, and if this should be flagged to MG as a risk?

 

[ReintjeWA]

Scary, however I do think you need a neutral “gear” for the car to be able to roll freely, for instance for towing.

I can appreciate hindsight is 20/20 but perhaps hitting the brakes is a safer option when something unexpected occurs.

I’ve had it happen where I thought the car was in drive and actually remained in neutral, but thankfully nothing serious came of it at the time.

 

[bobs2293]

I’ve never operated the handbrake switch.

Never any need.


Just leave it alone.

 

[Kenno]

I have done the same after reversing back (handbrake off automatically) and then putting it in drive. Except I obviously didn't turn it all the way and found myself going forward down a slight hill in neutral. Not a dangerous place in that case, but I do look down and check D is lit these days, which I find easier than checking the screen.

 

[Chrisdriving]

Thanks for sharing but as you say, this is not a fault of the car it is user error, the R N D illuminates and is shown on the screen.
In your situation just release handbrake and clear neighbours car in N then select D to move off.

 

[bobs2293]

Are people physically using the handbrake switch?

 

[Alecfrank]

I have done the same after reversing back (handbrake off automatically) and then putting it in drive. Except I obviously didn't turn it all the way and found myself going forward down a slight hill in neutral. Not a dangerous place in that case, but I do look down and check D is lit these days, which I find easier than checking the screen.

Agree, I check at least 3 times now!

 

[ReintjeWA]

Are people physically using the handbrake switch?

I've used it once when the car for whatever reason didn't want to disengage the parking brake whilst in D. And I've used it once to test the emergency function.

Post in thread 'Using the electronic parking brake or the P button whilst driving at speed??'

Aug 16, 2025

Here is the dashcam footage, I did 60 kph and 80 kph apparently. During the second one you can hear some clicking/thumping noises which is the ABS activating. And as you can see the car takes off again as soon as the EPB button is released.

MG4 EPB activation at speed

MG4 EPB activation at speed

www.veed.io

• ReintjeWA

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[Alecfrank]

Scary, however I do think you need a neutral “gear” for the car to be able to roll freely, for instance for towing.

I can appreciate hindsight is 20/20 but perhaps hitting the brakes is a safer option when something unexpected occurs.

I’ve had it happen where I thought the car was in drive and actually remained in neutral, but thankfully nothing serious came of it at the time.

I mounted

I’ve never operated the handbrake switch.

Never any need.


Just leave it alone.

I would, if I could, but the natural inertia created by the bank, then the right foot pressure needed to release the brake, with a car 3 foot in front of you makes it impossible. but I shared this to make folks aware.

Scary, however I do think you need a neutral “gear” for the car to be able to roll freely, for instance for towing.

I can appreciate hindsight is 20/20 but perhaps hitting the brakes is a safer option when something unexpected occurs.

I’ve had it happen where I thought the car was in drive and actually remained in neutral, but thankfully nothing serious came of it at the time.

yep I got away with it, the road i pulled onto was a 60 MPH single road, and the car that was a good way, away, got to me darn quick! I went to the verge in case he had to overtake, but BIG lesson learnt

I have done the same after reversing back (handbrake off automatically) and then putting it in drive. Except I obviously didn't turn it all the way and found myself going forward down a slight hill in neutral. Not a dangerous place in that case, but I do look down and check D is lit these days, which I find easier than checking the screen.

same here now, big lesson learnt, and I got away with that lesson.

Are people physically using the handbrake switch?

I do, but only when pulling out on the bank outside the house, because the natural inertia created by the bank, then the right foot pressure needed to release the brake, with a car 3 foot in front of you makes it impossible. but I shared this to make folks aware.

 

[dsr]

Are people physically using the handbrake switch?

I use it at traffic lights or a junction, when dark, to avoid blinding a driver behind me.

 

[gary333]

I use it at traffic lights or a junction, when dark, to avoid blinding a driver behind me.

I pretty sure they mean using to release the handbrake when setting off, not when stopping

 

[siteguru]

I do, but only when pulling out on the bank outside the house, because the natural inertia created by the bank, then the right foot pressure needed to release the brake, with a car 3 foot in front of you makes it impossible. but I shared this to make folks aware.

I do likewise when exiting my driveway. (I reverse park up the drive). Putting the car in D doesn't release the parking brake, so (like you) I use the manual release to give a smoother start. (I do however keep my foot on the foot brake when setting off and regulate the speed that way, until it is pertinent to press the Go pedal).