Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation

Brake System

WARNING: BRAKE FLUID CONTAINS POLYGLYCOL ETHERS AND POLYGLYCOLS. AVOID CONTACT WITH THE EYES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING. IF BRAKE FLUID CONTACTS THE EYES, FLUSH THE EYES FOR 15 MINUTES WITH COLD RUNNING WATER. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IF IRRITATION PERSISTS. IF TAKEN INTERNALLY, DRINK WATER AND INDUCE VOMITING. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

The braking system is a diagonally split, dual circuit design featuring front and rear disc brakes.

The hydraulic system provides separate circuits for each pair of diagonally opposed wheels (left front, right rear and right front, left rear). The front calipers, mounted on the front knuckle, are single pistoned floating caliper design which make sure that equal effort is applied through both brake pads. The rear calipers are a single pistoned floating caliper design. The pads in all cases are asbestos free.

The parking brake control is located between the front seats and operates the rear brakes through a cable system. The cable features automatic adjustment through a spring mechanism on the parking brake control.

The master cylinder is of a tandem design and is linked to a brake booster to reduce the brake pedal effort. A vacuum pump is fitted to ensure assistance in certain circumstances. The tandem design will make sure that in the event of one brake circuit failure the other will remain fully operational. The booster operating rod is connected directly to the brake pedal.

Brake System
Principles of Operations
The brake system operates by transferring effort applied to the brake pedal, by the driver, to the brakes at each wheel.
The braking effort is distributed to each wheel, using a hydraulic system. The system is assisted using a vacuum brake booster that reduces pedal effort for a given hydraulic pressure. The parking brake operates on the rear wheels and is applied using a hand operated control.