Correct braking techniques
Before driving off after parking, make sure the parking brake is released and that the brake system indicator light is off.
After driving through water or washing your car, your brakes may be wet. Wet brakes are very dangerous because your car will not be able to stop quickly. To dry your brakes, apply them gently while driving until braking becomes normal, being careful not to lose control of your car.
Do not roll downhill in neutral. Always keep the transmission engaged while the vehicle is moving, use the brakes to slow the vehicle, then downshift so that engine braking helps maintain a safe driving speed.
Avoid driving with frequent abrupt braking. Do not keep your left foot on the brake pedal all the time while driving, this can be dangerous, as it leads to overheating of the brakes and loss of their effectiveness. It also leads to increased wear of the brake system parts. If a tire is punctured while driving, press the brake pedal lightly and try to keep the car straight while reducing speed. When you have reduced speed sufficiently, pull off the road and stop the car completely in a safe place. If your car is equipped with an automatic transmission, do not allow the car to slowly move forward. To do this, when the car is stopped, keep your foot on the brake pedal.
Take precautions when parking on a slope. Apply the parking brake and move the selector lever to the "P" position (automatic transmission) or the gearshift lever to the neutral position (manual transmission). When parking on a slope, turn the front wheels toward the curb to prevent the car from rolling. When parking on an incline, turn the front wheels away from the curb to prevent the car from rolling. If there is no curb or you need to prevent the car from rolling for other reasons, block the wheels.
In some conditions, your parking brake may freeze when engaged. This happens when snow or ice accumulates around the rear brakes, or if the rear brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the parking brake may freeze, engage it only temporarily until you move the selector lever to the "P" position (automatic transmission) or the gearshift lever to first or reverse to lock the vehicle's wheels. Then release the parking brake.
Do not hold the vehicle on a slope using the accelerator pedal. This may cause the transmission to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake.
Anti-lock braking system
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking during sudden braking or when driving on an uneven road surface. The electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) monitors the rotation speed of the vehicle's wheels and regulates the pressure of the brake fluid in each working brake cylinder. Thus, in emergency situations or on a smooth road, this system improves the vehicle's controllability during braking.
Warning! When the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is operating, you may feel a slight pulsation in the brake pedal when braking. You may also hear noise in the engine compartment while the vehicle is moving. These phenomena are normal and indicate that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is working properly.
Warning! The anti-lock braking system (ABS) cannot prevent accidents due to improper or dangerous maneuvering. Although it helps improve vehicle control during emergency braking, always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Reduce vehicle speed in adverse driving conditions.
Warning! In the following cases, the braking distance of vehicles with ABS may be longer than that of vehicles without it:
- when driving on gravel roads and roads covered with snow;
- when driving with snow chains installed;
- when driving on roads with uneven surfaces, potholes, etc., on bumpy roads or other roads with poor surfaces.
Warning! The speed of movement on such roads should be reduced. Do not test the safety provided by a car equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) by taking turns or driving at high speeds, as this may be dangerous for you and others.