When driving downhill, it is advisable to perform engine braking by shifting the manual transmission to a lower gear in advance. As a result, it is possible to avoid overloading the brake mechanisms. If it is not possible to avoid the use of the brakes, short pedal presses should be made, braking the car in small jerks.
After fording, driving through a deep puddle, washing, or driving in a downpour, the effectiveness of the brakes may decrease somewhat, especially in winter, when the friction linings of the brake pads freeze. In such circumstances, the brakes should be dried as soon as possible by a series of short brakings.
The delay in the operation of the brakes can also occur in winter in cities when the road surface is sprinkled with salt. This effect is especially pronounced if the car has not been used for a long time. And a crystalline coating formed on the pads. The pads should be cleaned.
Attention! In the event of damage to the front spoiler, as well as when installing a spoiler or decorative wheel caps, make sure that the air flow to the front wheel brakes is not limited. Otherwise, the mechanisms may start to overheat.
Additional devices
Pressure regulator in the hydraulic circuit of the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels
Note. Cars with a Pickup, Vanplus and Combi body type, as well as all models equipped with 1.6 l, 1.9 l engines or air conditioning, must be equipped with a pressure regulator in the rear circuit of the hydraulic brake system. The regulator is a device that responds to the degree of loading of the car. This note does not apply to models equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Vacuum brake booster
All models come standard with a vacuum brake booster that functions only when the engine is running due to the vacuum created in the intake piping. When towing a car with the engine turned off, or in the event of a failure of the amplifier, the brake pedal has to be squeezed out with a slightly greater force than usual.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS contributes significantly to improving the active driving safety of the car. The decisive advantage of ABS over conventional braking systems is that even with full braking on slippery surfaces, it is still possible to maintain control over the steering.
It cannot be expected that braking distances will be shortened by ABS under all circumstances. On the contrary, when driving, for example, on gravel, freshly fallen snow or ice, the braking distance can even be slightly lengthened.
Upon reaching a speed of about 20 km / h, the automatic control device is activated. In this case, the noise of the pump turning on may be heard.
If the radial speed of rotation of any of the wheels is too low in relation to the speed of the vehicle and there is a risk of blocking, the system reduces the pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the corresponding brake mechanism. At the same time, the speed of rotation of the wheel increases, ensuring the overall directional stability of the car. The described cycle can be repeated many times per second, which gives the maximum guarantee of maintaining control over the control in any condition of the road surface.
The functioning of the ABS is accompanied by pulsations of the brake pedal, sometimes a characteristic sound may occur, warning the driver that the moment of wheel locking is approaching. In order for the ABS to successfully prevent blocking, the brake pedal must remain depressed - in no case should you try to brake by intermittent depressing the pedal!
Attention! The presence of ABS in the car in no way cancels the operation of physical laws. Be aware of this when driving on slippery road surfaces. As soon as the ABS begins to function, care should be taken to reduce the driving speed to a safe value corresponding to the road condition.
If the ABS malfunctions, the corresponding control lamp on the instrument panel turns on.
If the ABS fails, the braking system continues to function normally. In this case, the driving style should be adjusted accordingly. At the first opportunity, the car should be driven to a service station to diagnose the system and eliminate the cause of the malfunction.