While Driving6-20
BRAKE SYSTEM
Power Brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes 
that adjust automatically through normal 
usage.
If the engine is not running or is turned 
off while driving, the power assist for 
the brakes will not work. You can still 
stop your vehicle by applying greater 
force to the brake pedal than typical. 
The stopping distance, however, will be 
longer than with power brakes.
When the engine is not running, the 
reserve brake power is partially depleted 
each time the brake pedal is applied. 
Do not pump the brake pedal when the 
power assist has been interrupted.
Only pump the brakes on slippery 
surfaces if the power assist has been 
interrupted to maintain steering control. 
Do not pump the brakes on slippery 
surfaces if the brakes are operating 
normally.
 WARNING
Take the following precautions:
[  Do not drive with your foot resting 
on the brake pedal. This will create 
abnormal high brake temperatures, 
excessive brake lining and pad wear, 
and increased stopping distances.
[  When descending down a long or 
steep hill, move the gear shift lever 
to Manual Shift Mode and manually 
downshift to a lower gear in order 
to control your speed without using 
the brake pedal excessively. Applying 
the brakes continuously will cause 
the brakes to overheat and could 
result in a temporary loss of braking 
performance.
[ Wet brakes may impair the vehicle's 
ability to safely slow down; the 
vehicle may also pull to one side 
when the brakes are applied. 
Applying the brakes lightly will 
indicate whether they have been 
affected in this way. Always test your 
brakes in this fashion after driving 
through deep water. To dry the 
brakes, lightly tap the brake pedal to 
heat up the brakes while maintaining 
a safe forward speed until brake 
performance returns to normal. 
Avoid driving at high speeds until the 
brakes function correctly.
Disc Brakes Wear Indicator
When your brake pads are worn and new 
pads are required, you will hear a high 
pitched warning sound from your front 
or rear brakes. You may hear this sound 
come and go or it may occur whenever 
you depress the brake pedal.
Note that some driving conditions or 
climates may cause a brake squeal 
when you first apply (or lightly apply) 
the brakes. This is normal and does not 
indicate a problem with your brakes.
NOTICE
To avoid costly brake repairs, do not 
continue to drive with worn brake pads.
 Information
Always replace brake pads as complete 
front or rear axle sets.
Rear Drum Brakes (if equipped)
Your rear drum brakes do not have wear 
indicators. Therefore, have the rear brake 
linings inspected if you hear a rear brake 
rubbing noise. Also have your rear brakes 
inspected each time you change or 
rotate your tires and when you have the 
front brakes replaced.