171 Starting and driving
ABS brakes ABS (Antilock Braking System) modulates
the brake pressure to the respective
wheels. Wheel sensors detect if a wheel is
about to lock, and the control module
reduces the pressure to that wheel and then
increases it once more until the tendency is
detected again.
The brake system is equipped with an Elec-
tronic Brake-force Distribution device
(EBD), which distributes the brake pressure
between the front and rear wheels in such a
way as to achieve optimum braking perfor-
mance regardless of the car’s speed and
load.
The ABS system has a built-in diagnostic
function which will switch on the ABS warn-
ing light if a fault is detected in the system
(see page 62). The ABS system will not reduce the braking
distance on loose gravel or on snow or ice
but, because the wheels cannot lock up,
some steering control is retained.
When the ABS system is working, i.e. mod-
ulation of the brake pressure is in progress,
the brake pedal will pulsate and a ticking
noise will be heard. All this is perfectly nor-
mal.
Press the pedal down hard (you cannot
press too hard) and steer the car to safety. Do not release the brake pedal before the
car has come to a halt or the danger is
past!
This is critical.
If the road is slippery, the ABS system will
operate even when only light pressure is
applied to the pedal. This means that you
can brake gently to test the condition of the
road and adapt your driving accordingly.
It is well worth practising the use of ABS
brakes on a skid pad or other suitable facil-
ity.
WARNING
The additional safety afforded by the
ABS system is not designed to allow
drivers to drive faster but to make
normal driving safer.
To stop as quickly as possible, without
loss of directional stability, whether
the road surface is dry, wet or slippery,
press the brake pedal down hard
without letting up (do not pump the
pedal), declutching simulta-
neously, and steer the car to safety.
IB877
ABS braking - confirmation that the sys-
tem is operating
IB878
Braking with ABS - evasive steering
ProCarManuals.com
260 IndexService information
______________ 238
Service intervals
________________ 236
Service record retention
__________ 237
Side airbags
____________________ 30
Ski hatch
______________________ 147
Snow tires _____________________ 252
Soft top storage, Convertible
_______ 56
Spare wheel
___________________ 149
Speedometer ___________________ 66
Starting the engine
______________ 153
Steering-wheel adjustment
________ 137
Storage compartments
___________ 142
Sunroof
_______________________ 138
Switches _______________________ 75
TTachometer
_____________________ 66
Technical data __________________ 243
Telematics
_____________________ 117
Temperature gauge
______________ 67
Textile carpeting, cleaning
________ 225
Through-load hatch
______________ 147
Tie-down eyes
__________________ 148
Tipping the rear seat
_____________ 144
Tire markings
__________________ 218
Tire pressure ___________________ 184
Tire pressures __________________ 217
Tires and wheels, sizes
___________ 252
Tools
_________________________ 149
Top tether
______________________ 23Touching up paintwork
___________ 227
Towing a caravan or trailer ________ 179
Towing the car
__________________ 185
Traction Control System
__________ 172
Trailer hitch attachment ___________ 179
Trailer hitch load
________________ 182
Transmission, automatic
__________ 162
Transmission, manual
____________ 161
Transporting the car
_____________ 185
Traveling abroad
________________ 190
Trip computer, SID _______________ 69
Trip meter
______________________ 66
Trunk
_________________________ 144
Trunk lid lock, Convertible
__________ 56
Trunk lighting
___________________ 139
Trunk, Convertible
________________ 56
Trunk, opening
__________________ 40
Turbo gauge
____________________ 67
Turn signal
_____________________ 76
UUpholstery and trim
______________ 225
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______ 225
Useful tips on starting
____________ 154
Useful tips, ACC
_________________ 92
VVanity mirror
___________________ 143
WWarning and indicator lights
________ 60
Warning labels
____________________ 7
Warning light, AIR BAG (SRS)
______ 32
Washer fluid
___________________ 205
Washer jets
____________________ 205
Washers
_______________________ 78
Washing ______________________ 226
Waxing and polishing
____________ 227
Wear indicators, brake pads
_______ 200
Wear indicators, tires
_____________ 220
Wheels
_______________________ 217
Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 252
Window glass sensor, car alarm
_____ 42
Windshield washers
______________ 78
Windshield wipers
________________ 78
Winter driving
__________________ 177
Wiper blades
___________________ 204
Wipers
_________________________ 78
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