DISC BRAKES

Disc brakes provide optimum braking efficiency, brake force modulation and fade resistance.

Low mileage, long-term storage in a parking area and light loads cause corrosion of the brake discs and contamination of the brake pads, since during braking the pads do not develop the minimum clamping force against the discs required for self-cleaning of disc brakes.

Corroded discs produce a characteristic noise during brake operation that is not eliminated even by prolonged braking.

Driving Features

In wet weather or heavy rain, it is advisable to brake lightly every few kilometers. Make sure not to create problems for other road users. The heat generated during braking will dry the brake discs and pads.

As is known, optimum braking efficiency is achieved not with locked wheels, but with the wheels rolling at the limit of lockup. The ABS system provides this mode automatically.

If brakes fail, use intermittent braking whenever possible. Driving on long or steep mountain downgrades will not cause brake fade if you drive in a gear or with the selector lever position where minimum braking is required. Shifting to a lower gear (down to first) or moving the automatic transmission selector lever to position 2 will also increase engine braking effect.

If this is not enough to slow the vehicle, avoid prolonged braking at below-medium intensity. Instead, (while watching the traffic behind you) brake firmly by pressing the pedal and continue braking with short pauses (intermittent braking). During the pauses the brakes will cool, which protects them from overheating and maintains full braking performance.

Never drive with the clutch depressed, with the gear selector or automatic transmission selector lever in Neutral, and certainly never with the engine switched off. In Neutral there is no engine braking effect, and with the engine off the brake booster does not operate.