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178
Intelligent technology
(TCS)Traction control system
The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from
spinning when the car is accelerating.
General notes
The traction control system (TCS) is one of the functions incorporated in the
electronic stabilisation programme (ESP).
The traction control system (TCS) helps the car to start moving, accelerate and
climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult
or even impossible.
How it works
The TCS acts automatically, i.e. without the driver's intervention. With the aid
of the ABS sensors ⇒ page 176, the TCS monitors the speed of the driven
wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine power is reduced automatically
to match the amount of grip available. The system is active across the entire
speed range.
The TCS works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction should occur in
the ABS, the TCS will also be out of action.
Note
To ensure that the TCS works properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. The difference in size of the wheels may lead to an undesired
reduction in engine power. Also see ⇒ page 233.
Brakes
General notes
New brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 400 km
they must be "run in". However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid over-
loading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive and
the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for
instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard driving with abrupt starts
and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the car or driving
through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by moisture (or in winter
by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The brakes should be "dried" by pressing
the pedal to restore full braking effect.
When the velocity is over 80 km/h windscreen wipers are on, the brake
system moves the pads towards the brake discs for a few seconds. This
occurs - without warning to the driver - at regular intervals and requires a
more rapid response from the brakes when driving on wet roads.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the car is
driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot of salt
on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs and pads
has to wear off before braking.
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