Braking
system
A warning light will
indicate a brake circuit
failure
The brake pedal will depress more than normal
and some extra pressure will be required for
normal braking.
If the warning light comes on, stop imme-
diately and check the fluid level in the brake
reservoir (its location is described on 7:8).
If the fluid level is below MIN in any part
of the reservoir, do not drive any further and
have the car towed to a dealer for inspection
and repair of the leakage.
The brake servo functions only
when the engine is running
If your car is being towed or is coasting to a
halt with the engine switched off, you will have
to depress the brake pedal approximately four
times harder than normal because the brake
servo is inoperative.
The brake pedal feels stiff and hard.
Severe use of the brakes
When driving in mountainous areas, the brakes
can be subjected to extremely severe loads even
if you do not depress the brake pedal particular-
ly hard. Since the car's speed is also quite often
very low, the brakes are not cooled as efficient-
ly as when driving on level roads. In order to
avoid placing an excessive strain on the brakes,
you should always engage a lower gear,
using the same gear to descend as you would to
ascend the hill. In cars with automatic trans-
mission, engage position 3 or possibly L. In
this way, the braking power of the engine is
more effectively utilised and it is only necessary
to use the footbrake now and again.
Do not forget that if you are towing a caravan
or trailer, the brakes will be subjected to more
load than normal.
Moisture on the brake discs
and brake pads may affect
braking
Driving in heavy rain and slush or passing
through an automatic car wash may cause
water to collect on the brake discs and pads.
This will cause a delay in braking effect when
the pedal is depressed. In such situations it is
therefore advisable to lightly depress the brake
pedal now and again while driving. The heat
that is generated will then evaporate any mois-
ture on the brakes.
This should also be done after washing or start-
ing the car in very damp weather.
ABS brakes
ABS brakes are designed to help prevent brake
lock-up under severe braking conditions. The
system "senses" when the brakes begin to lock,
redistributes the brakes pressure automatically
and thereby prevents the wheels from locking.
The ABS system in your car performs a
selfdiagnostic test when the vehicle reaches
a speed of approximately 20 mph (30
km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate seve-
ral times and a sound will be audible from
the ABS control module. This is normal.
When the system is activated during braking
you will feel vibrations in the brake pedal
and also hear these pulsations clearly. This is
also quite normal.
Do not release the brake pedal when you
hear and feel that the ABS system is func-
tioning.
You must depress the brake pedal fully for
optimum effect but the ABS system does not
increase the total braking capacity of your car.
However, it does enable you to steer the car
while braking, thus increasing your control
and thereby improving the safety of your
vehicle.
