STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
279
Foot brake
The foot brake is used to reduce the car's speed
while driving.
The car is equipped with two brake circuits for
safety reasons.
The driver's brake pedal pressure is assisted by a
brake servo.
WARNING
The brake servo doesn't operate until after
the engine has been started, see Starting the
engine (p. 264).
If the foot brake is used in a de-energised car
with the electric motor and internal combustion
engine switched off - e.g. if the car is being
towed - then pedal travel is slightly longer and a
higher pedal pressure must be used to brake the
car.
For cars with the Hill start assist (HSA)* (p. 278)*
function, the pedal returns more slowly than
usual to normal position if the car is parked on a
gradient or on an uneven surface.
In very hilly terrain or when driving with a heavy
load the brakes can be relieved by using engine
braking. Engine braking is most efficiently used if
the same gear is used downhill as up.
For more general information on heavy loads on
the car, see Engine oil - adverse driving condi-
tions (p. 411).
Function check when the engine is
started
The car is equipped with a so-called "brake by
wire" brake system. After each time the engine is
started there is an automatic function check of
the brake system when the driver depresses the
brake pedal to take the gear selector from the P
position, see Automatic gearbox - Geartronic
(p. 275). In connection with the function check, in
some cases, the information display may show a
message and a symbol, see examples in the table
at the end of this section.
NOTE
During the function check the pedal travel is
slightly longer than during normal braking.
Light braking - hybrid battery charging
The electric motor's engine brake is used during
light braking. The car's kinetic energy is then
converted to electrical energy instead which is
used to charge the hybrid battery. Battery charg-
ing with engine braking is indicated in the com-
bined instrument panel (p. 69) with animation.
This function is active in the speed range
150-5 km/h (93-3 mph) - for harder braking, as
well as outside the speed range, the braking is
complemented by the hydraulic brake system.
Braking on wet roads
When driving for a long time in heavy rain without
braking, the braking effect may be delayed
slightly when next using the brakes. This may
also be the case after a car wash. It is then nec-
essary to depress the brake harder. For this rea-
son, maintain a greater distance to the traffic
ahead.
Brake the car firmly after driving on wet roads
and after a car wash. The brake discs are then
warmed up, dry more quickly and are protected
against corrosion. Take the prevailing traffic sit-
uation into account when braking.
Braking on salted roads
When driving on salted roads a layer of salt may
form on the brake discs and brake linings. This
may extend braking distance. For this reason,
keep an extra-large safety distance to the vehicle
ahead. Also make sure of the following:
•
Brake occasionally to remove any layer of
salt. Make sure that other road users are not
put at risk by the braking.
•
Gently depress the brake pedal when driving
is finished and before the next journey starts.
To Next Page
Loading...
