2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! rear brakes

Lit upPossible cause ⇒Solution
In conjunction with warning lamp :
ABS and EBV not functioning.
Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance immediately ⇒ Fault
in the brake system.
Brake pedal not depressed.To select a position, press the brake pedal.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
ESC/TCS is taking corrective action.Remove foot from accelerator pedal. Adapt
driving style to suit road conditions.
Traction Control active.
Remove foot from accelerator pedal. Adapt
driving style to suit road conditions
⇒ Traction Control System (TCS) or
Traction Control (TC).
Flashing: vehicle with an automated
manual gearbox is not secured from
rolling away.
Apply the handbrake.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
Handbrake
Fig. 100 Handbrake between the front seats
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Applying the handbrake
•Pull the handbrake lever up firmly with the locking button ⇒ Fig. 100 (arrow) pressed.
•The handbrake is applied when the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster
⇒ Warning and indicator lamps.
Releasing the handbrake
•Lift the handbrake lever up slightly and press the lock button ⇒ Fig. 100 (arrow).
•Guide the handbrake lever down whilst the lock button is pressed.
Failure to observe the warning lamps could lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and
to accidents and serious injuries.
•Never ignore any warning lamps that are lit up.
•Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
WARNING
Driving with poor brakes can result in accidents and serious injuries.
•If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the vehicle
immediately and seek expert assistance ⇒ Brake fluid.
•If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS indicator lamp , the
control function of the ABS may have failed. This can cause the rear wheels to lock quickly
when you brake. Locked rear wheels can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. If
possible, reduce your speed and drive carefully at low speed to the nearest qualified
workshop in order to have the brake system tested. Avoid sudden braking and driving
manoeuvres on the way.
•The ABS is not functioning correctly if the ABS indicator lamp does not go out or
comes on while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle can be stopped using the normal
brakes only (without ABS). The protection provided by ABS is no longer available.
Proceed to a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
WARNING
Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being damaged.
NOTICE

An acoustic warning is given if the car is driven faster than approximately 6 km/h (4 mph)
with the handbrake applied.
Parking
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please adhere to relevant legislation when stopping and parking your vehicle.
Stopping the vehicle
The steps should only be carried out in the specified order.
•Stop the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒.
•Depress and hold the brake pedal until the engine has stopped.
•Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ Handbrake.
•With an automated manual gearbox, move the selector lever to position D or R.
•Switch off the engine and take your foot off the brake pedal.
•Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
•Turn the steering wheel slightly if necessary to engage the steering lock mechanism.
•With a manual gearbox, select first gear for flat ground and uphill inclines, or reverse gear for
downhill inclines, and then release the clutch.
•Please ensure that all occupants, in particular children, leave the vehicle.
•Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
•Lock the vehicle.
Additional points for ascending and descending inclines
Before switching off the engine, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels will roll against the
kerb if the parked vehicle starts to move.
•When facing downhill, turn the wheels so that they face the kerb.
•When facing uphill, turn the wheels so that they face the centre of the road.
Incorrect use of the handbrake can cause accidents and serious injuries.
•The handbrake should never be used to brake the vehicle, except in emergencies. The
braking distance is considerably longer as only the rear wheels are braked. Always use
the foot brake.
•Never drive the vehicle with the handbrake lightly applied. This can overheat the brakes
and adversely affect the brake system. It can also cause premature wear to the rear brake
pads.
•Never activate the accelerator from the engine compartment if a position or gear has been
selected and the engine is running. The vehicle can start to move even if the handbrake is
applied.
WARNING
To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake firmly
and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
NOTICE

If the front brake pads are tested, the rear brake pads should be tested at the same time.
Regularly check the thickness of the brake pads through the openings in the rims or from the
underside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to carry out a comprehensive check.
Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Brake assist systems
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The brake assist systems ESC, ABS, EBV, BAS, TCS, TC and EDL will only function when the
engine is running. They make a considerable contribution to active driving safety.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
The ESC helps to reduce the risk of skidding and to improve driving stability by braking individual
wheels in certain driving situations. The ESC detects critical driving situations such as oversteer,
understeer and wheelspin. The system supports the stabilisation process for the vehicle by targeted
braking or by reducing engine torque.
ESC has its limitations. It is important to realise that ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics.
ESC will not be able to assist in every situation faced by a driver. For example, ESC will not be able
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
•New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 320 km and must
first be run in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the
brake pedal.
•You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads in order to reduce
the risk of accidents, serious injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
•Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never create
a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance.
•When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very
quickly.
•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or
move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking effect
and relieve the load on the brakes.
•Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause
them to overheat.
WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer
braking distances.
•Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
•Always dry brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious
applications of the brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can considerably increase the braking distance and thus
cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Never allow the vehicle to roll if the engine is switched off.
•If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have
to be depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack
of assistance for the brake system.
WARNING
•Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure to the brake when it is not necessary to
brake. Continual pressure on the brake pedal will overheat the brakes. This can
considerably reduce the brake effect, increase the braking distance and, in certain
circumstances, cause the brake system to fail completely.
•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or
move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking effect
and relieve the load on the brakes. The brakes could otherwise overheat and possibly fail.
The brakes should only be used to slow or stop the vehicle.
NOTICE

to assist every time that there is a sudden change in the road surface quality. If a section of dry
road is suddenly covered with water, mud or snow, ESC will not be able to assist in the same
manner as on a dry road. If the vehicle aquaplanes (drives on a layer of water rather than on the
road surface), ESC will not be able to assist in steering the vehicle as the contact to the road
surface has been interrupted and it is therefore no longer possible to steer or brake the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. ESC
cannot defy the laws of motion, improve the available power output, or keep the vehicle on the road
if insufficient care and attention on the part of the driver causes the vehicle to leave the road.
Instead, ESC increases the possibility of keeping the vehicle under control and, in extreme on-road
driving situations, it assesses the driver’s steering input and helps the vehicle to continue in the
required direction. If the vehicle is driving at a speed that leads it to leave the road before the ESC
can provide any kind of support, the ESC will be unable to provide any assistance.
The ABS, BAS, TCS and EDL systems are integrated into the ESC. The ESC is always on.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied up until the point where the
vehicle is nearly stationary and assists the driver in steering the vehicle and keeping it under
control. This means that the vehicle is less likely to spin, even when the brakes are depressed fully:
•Depress and hold the brake pedal with force. Do not take your foot off the brake pedal or
reduce the force on the brake pedal!
•Do not pump the brake pedal or reduce the pressure on the brake pedal!
•Steer the vehicle while the brake pedal is fully depressed.
•The ABS will switch off when the brake pedal is released or if the pressure on the brake pedal is
reduced.
If the ABS is taking corrective action, there is a pulsing movement in the brake pedal and some
noise. However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee shorter braking distances in all conditions. The
braking distance could even be longer when braking on gravel or on fresh snow covering an icy or
slippery surface.
Electronic brake pressure distribution system (EBD)
Every vehicle's centre of gravity moves forwards whenever the brake is operated. This means that
the rear wheels are in danger of locking due to the lower traction. The electronic brake pressure
distribution system controls the brake pressure for the rear wheels and thereby ensures the
optimum distribution of brake pressure between the front and rear axles. Under normal conditions,
the system will prevent the rear from breaking away if too much brake pressure if applied to the rear
wheels. The electronic brake pressure distribution system is included in the ABS' scope of
functions.
Brake Assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system can help to reduce the braking distance. The brake assist system
reinforces brake pressure hydraulically when the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly in an
emergency situation. As a result, full braking power is made accessible very quickly, brake pressure
is increased and the braking distance reduced. In this way, the ABS is activated more quickly and
more effectively.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal. The brake assist system will switch off the
hydraulic brake servo automatically when the brake pedal is released or if the pressure on the
brake pedal is reduced.
Traction Control System (TCS) or Traction Control (TC)
The TCS or TC reduces the engine output if wheelspin occurs and adapts the output to suit road
surface conditions. TCS or TC helps the car to start moving, accelerate and climb gradients in
unfavourable road conditions.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The EDL is available for normal driving on straight roads. EDL brakes the wheel that has lost
traction and distributes the driving force to the other drive wheel. To prevent the disc brake of the
braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The
EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.

Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when cleaning your vehicle using a high-
pressure cleaner. This applies in particular to the pressure and the spraying distance⇒.
Maintain sufficient distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses, insulation, and the ParkPilot
sensors. The ParkPilot sensors are located in the rear bumper ⇒.
Never use concentrated jet nozzles or dirt blasters⇒.
Parts of the vehicle with sharp edges can cause injury.
•Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp parts, for example when cleaning the
underbody or the inside of the wheel housings.
WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and extend
the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in winter.
•You can dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Ensure that
you do not endanger any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
WARNING
•The water should be no warmer than +60°C (+140°F).
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight in order to avoid damage to the vehicle
paintwork.
•Never clean with insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products as these can
damage the surface.
•Never clean the headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. It
is best to use soapy water.
•Washing the vehicle in cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the
water into the lock cylinders or the gaps round the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and
seals could freeze.
NOTICE
Observe the following guidelines before driving the vehicle into an automatic car wash in order
to avoid damage to the vehicle:
•Ensure that the gap between the guide rails in the car wash is sufficient for the vehicle
track. If the track is too narrow your wheels and tyres will be damaged.
•Switch off the city emergency brake function before driving the vehicle into an automatic
car wash.
•Check that the car wash is tall and wide enough for your vehicle.
•Fold in the exterior mirrors.
•In order to prevent damage to the paintwork on the bonnet, fold the windscreen wipers
back onto the windscreen after drying the wiper blades. Do not drop the wipers onto the
glass.
•Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening accidentally in the car wash.
NOTICE