Brake Booster; Antilock Brake System (Abs); Brake Assist - Skoda OCTAVIA - 05-2010 Owner's Manual

Brake booster

The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal. The
necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is running.
WARNING

Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.

The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when engine is switched off. Because if you do
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.

Antilock brake system (ABS)

ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain
optimal steering ability even during a full brake application on a slippery road surface
because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for example on gravel and
fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too
low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This control cycle is noticeable
from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels
are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal
depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
Using the system Safety

not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS
is operating within the control range, adapt your speed immediately to the
conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!

Visit a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving to
take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent
of the fault and in how far the braking efficiency is affected.


tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ABS  page 214, "Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts".

Brake Assist*

During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the
braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in
the brake system.
The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but
do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not possible
for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a greater
distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application.
This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal, to
produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which
is required for maximum deceleration of the vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal
firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest possible braking
distance.
Driving Tips General Maintenance
WARNING
The ABS can also not overcome the physical limits of your vehicle. Please do
The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Note
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
Breakdown assistance
Intelligent Technology 171
 page 33.
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Technical Data