Braking Systems; Power Brakes; Automatic Brake Adjusters - Chevrolet Impala 1969 Owner's Manual

Braking Systems
The service brake system is designed
for braking performance under a wide
range of driving conditions even when
the vehicle is loaded to its full rated
vehicle load.
CAUTION: Driving through deep water
may affect brake performance. Applying
the brakes lightly will indicate whether
they have been affected. To dry them
quickly, lightly apply the brakes while
maintaining
a
slow forward speed with
an
assured clear distance ahead until brake
performance returns to normal.
Brake System Warning Light
The service brake system is de-
signed so that in the event of a hy-
draulic fluid leak, in one-half of the
system, the other half still provides
some braking action.
A dual purpose brake system warn-
ing light is located at lower right of
instrument cluster. The warning light
glows red to indicate to the operator
that the parking brake has not been
fully released. It also glows red while
braking in the event of broken brake
lines, major brake fluid loss, air in the
brake lines or a pressure deviation
between the front and the rear wheel
brake lines. If this happens, it may
mean that braking effectiveness is im-
paired. In any case, the cause should
be determined and any problem cor-
rected as soon as possible. To make
sure the brake warning light is not
burned out, set the parking brake and
start the engine. If the light does not
come on, have your Chevrolet dealer
correct the trouble as soon as possible.
NOTE: This warning light is not a substi·
tute for visual checking of the fluid level
in the master cylinder, which is a normal
maintenance item at intervals specified on
page 63.
Power Brakes
Cars equipped with power brakes
use engine vacuum to reduce the brak-
ing effort. The system has a vacuum
reserve which will supply two or more
power assisted brake applications after
the engine has stopped. After the
vacuum reserve has been exhausted,
the vehicle can still be stopped by
using greater pedal force.
19
Automatic Brake Adjusters
All Chevrolets are equipped with
self-adjusting brakes designed to
eliminate periodic brake adjustments.
The self-adjusting mechanism is ac-
tuated, as needed, whenever the car
is moved in reverse and the brakes
are applied. It is possible, however,
for excessive brake pedal travel to
develop if the required reverse move-
ment with a brake application does not
take place during a prolonged period
of stop and go forward driving. Should
this occur, the car should be driven
backward and forward with the brakes
applied at the end of each directional
movement, until the brake pedal travel
is back to normal. If this procedure
fails to restore normal pedal travel, or
if any abnormally rapid increase in
pedal travel is experienced, immedi-
ate inspection should be made by your
Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
CAUTION: Care should be exercised to
assure that full brake pedal travel is not
obstructed by improper floor mats or
other interfering material under the pedal.