BRAKE SYSTEM
The brake system has two separate hydraulic cir-
cuits. If one circuit malfunctions, two wheels will still
have braking ability.
downhill gradient. Overheated brakes may reduce
braking performance and could result in loss of ve-
hicle control.
Driving downhill
The engine braking action is effective for control-
ling the vehicle while descending hills.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum or vacuum from an engine-driven pump. If
the engine stops or the drive belt is broken, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
However, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal
will be required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.
The shift lever (MT models) should be placed in a
gear position low enough to obtain sufficient en-
gine braking.
CAUTION
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking actions or sudden acceleration
could cause the wheels to skid and result in an
accident.
For Automatic (DCT) transmission models, a low
gear position in the manual shift mode, low enough
to obtain sufficient engine braking, should be se-
lected.
Be aware that brakes will fade if repeated heavy
brake applications are made.
Wet brakes
Driving uphill
When the vehicle is washed or driven through wa-
ter, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your braking
distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull to
one side during braking.
When starting on a steep gradient, it is sometimes
difficult to operate the brake or both the brake and
clutch (MT models). Use the parking brake to hold
the vehicle. Do not slip the clutch (MT models). When
ready to start, make sure that the shift lever is in an
appropriate forward or reverse driving position,
slowly release the parking brake while depressing
the accelerator pedal and releasing the clutch (MT
models) or depressing the accelerator pedal (Auto-
matic (DCT) transmission models). If your vehicle
has an electric parking brake, this will automatically
release when you depress the accelerator pedal and
release the clutch (MT models) or depress the accel-
erator pedal (Automatic (DCT) transmission mod-
els).
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while
lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat up the
brakes. Do this until the brakes return to normal.
Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until the
brakes function correctly.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake linings and pads faster and reduce fuel
economy performance.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and shift to
a lower gear before going down a slope or long
Starting and driving 315
