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to have your brake pads inspected can result
in reduced brake performance.
On steep slopes, you should use the brak ing
effect of the engine. This way, you prevent un-
necessary wea r on the brake system . If you
must use your brakes, do not hold the brakes
down continuously. Pump the brakes at inter -
vals.
Moi stu re or road salt
Under certain conditions, for examp le, when
driving through water or very heavy rain, or
even after washing your vehicle , the braking
effect can be reduced due to moisture (or in
free zing conditions ice) on the brake pads. A
few care ful brake applications should dry off
the brake pads or remove any ice coatings.
When you a re d riving at higher speeds with
the w indshield wipers on, the brake pads will
briefly touch the brake d iscs in regular inter-
vals so as to improve reaction t ime when brak-
ing on wet surfaces . You the driver will not no-
tice anything .
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced
when the vehicle is dr iven on a salt -covered
road and the brakes are not used . Here too ,
you should clean off accumu lated salt coat ing
from brake discs and pads with a few carefu l
appl ications of the brake ¢ ,&..
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up
on the brake pads and corrosion to form on
the discs if the car is not dr iven regularly or
on ly for short trips with little use of the
brakes .
If the brakes are not used frequently , or if cor-
rosion has fo rmed on the discs, it is advisable
to clean off the pads and discs by brak ing
firm ly a few times from a moderately high
speed ¢ .&..
Faults in the brake system
If you should notice a
sudden
increase in
brake pedal travel, then one of the two bra ke
circu its may have failed ¢ ,&..
Int e llig e nt technolog
y
197
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occu r in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake fluid
level is monitored electronica lly.
Brake booster
The brake booster wo rks with vacuum pres-
sur e which is created only when the engine is
runn ing ¢ .&..
Brake lining wear statu s
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual in-
spect ion of the condition of the brake pads
th rough the open ings in the wheel. If neces-
sary, the wheel may be removed for th is in-
spection ¢
page 263, Changing a wheel.
A
WARNING
-=
- You should perform braking maneuvers
for the purpose of cleaning the brake
system only if road conditions permit.
Other road users must not be put at risk -
you may cause an accident!
- Before descend ing a steep grade, reduce
speed and sh ift transmission
into a lower
gear or lower dr iving range. Do not ride
the brakes or hold the pedal down too
long or too often . This could cause the
brakes to get hot and diminish braking
efficiency.
- Do not "ride the brakes" by rest ing your
foot on the pedal when you do not intend
to brake. This may cause the brakes to
overheat, premature wear and increased
stopping distance.
- Unde r ce rtain climatic and operat ing
conditions such as passing thro ugh wa -
ter, driving in heavy rain or after washing
the vehicle, the effectiveness of the
brakes can be reduced . In winter, ice can
accumulate on the brake pads, linings,
discs and drums . Carefully app ly brakes
for a test . Brakes will dry and ice coat-
ings w ill be cleaned off after a few care-
fu l brake applicat ions.
- Driving for an extended period of time on
salt-covered roads without using your
brakes can a lso affect bra king efficiency.
..,.
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