situations should be avoided that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up close to
the vehicle ahead.
The
rate of wear
of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the
vehicle is operated and the way in which the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular
urban trips, short journeys, and is driven with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be
regularly checked by a qualified workshop.
When driving with
wet brakes
, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after
washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly
iced up (in winter). The brakes must be dried as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher
speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of
this action
⇒
.
Any
salt layer accumulating on the discs and pads
will delay the braking effect and increase the
braking distance. If the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that
have been gritted with salt, the layer of salt must be reduced through careful braking
⇒
.
Corrosion
on the brake discs and
dirt
in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of
inactivity, low mileage and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used, or if they are at
all corroded, Volkswagen recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking
strongly several times from high speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road
user is put at risk as a result of this action
⇒
.
Brake servo
The brake servo will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied
by the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake servo is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system
⇒
.
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and
serious injuries.
• If the warning lamp
lights up either alone or together with a text message in the
instrument cluster display, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake
pads checked and the worn brake pads replaced.
WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
• New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km (186
miles) and must first be run in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying
more pressure to the brake pedal.
• You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads in order to
reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
• Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking
distance.
• When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot
very quickly.
• Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear
(with manual gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the DSG dual clutch gearbox). This
will make use of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes.
• Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and
cause them to overheat.
WARNING
