Braking System - Volvo S60 Owner's Manual

Starting and driving

Braking system

If a brake circuit fails
Braking is still possible if a fault
occurs in one of the circuits.
Depress the gas pedal once using
a higher than normal pressure – do not pump the
brakes. The brake pedal can be depressed
further and may feel somewhat softer than
normal. More pressure is required in order to
achieve a normal braking effect.
If the car is rolling or being towed
with the engine switched off, you must apply
approximately 5 times more pressure on the
brake pedal than when the engine is running.
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Brake components become wet when the car is
driven in heavy rain or through pools of water
or when the car is washed. This alters brake pad
friction characteristics so that there is a delay
before braking effect is noticed. Depress the
brake pedal lightly from time to time when
driving long distances in rain or slush and
before parking your car in such conditions. This
helps the brake lining warm up and dry out. You
should also do this when driving after washing
the car and when starting in damp or cold
weather conditions.
If the brakes are heavily loaded
When driving in the Alps or other roads with
similar characteristics, the car's brakes are
heavily loaded even if you are not pressing the
pedal especially hard. Because speed is often
low, the brakes are not cooled as effectively as
when driving on flat roads.
In order to prevent brake overload, shift down
and use the same gear uphill and downhill
instead of using the brake (manual gearbox).
This uses engine braking more efficiently and
requires braking during short periods only.
Keep in mind that the brakes are even more
heavily loaded when driving with a trailer.