Brakes
General Information
Note: Occasional brake noise is normal.If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn. Have your vehicle checked.If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, have your vehicle checked.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the wheels, even under normal driving conditions.Some dust is inevitable as the brakes wear and does not contribute to brake noise.Wet brakes result in reduced braking efficiency.Gently press the brake pedal a few times when driving from a car wash or standing water to dry the brakes.
See Cleaning the Wheels .
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady and firm pressure to the brake pedal to slow the vehicle and reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe stop.Switch the engine off, move the transmission to park (P) and apply the parking brake. Inspect the accelerator pedal and the area around it for any items or debris that may be obstructing its movement. If none are found and the condition persists, have your vehicle checked. If your vehicle has to be towed, we recommend that you contact a professional towing service.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you brake heavily by measuring the rate at which you press the brake pedal. It provides maximum braking efficiency as long as you press the pedal.Emergency brake assist can reduce stopping distances in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by keeping the brakes from locking.
If the warning lamp does not illuminate during start up, remains on or flashes, the system may be disabled. Have the system checked. If the anti-lock brake system is disabled, normal braking is still operational.
See .
Note: Indicators vary depending on region.
  This lamp illuminates momentarily when you switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp is functional. If it does not illuminate when you switch the ignition on, or if it begins to flash at any time except the time during applying or releasing the parking brake, have the system checked. |
Regenerative Braking System
This feature simulates the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of motion and storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The standard brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative braking is not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun as a generator to create electrical current. This recharges the battery and slows the vehicle. Once the accelerator pedal is released, the motor changes from an energy user to an energy producer.
When you release the accelerator pedal or press the brake pedal, the brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking is designed to interact with the anti-lock brake system. Regenerative braking disables when the anti-lock brake system is activated or the battery is fully charged.
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
The anti-lock brake system does not eliminate the risks when:
- You drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
- Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
- You take corners too fast.
- The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brake pedal could pulse and may travel further.Maintain pressure on the brake pedal.You may also hear a noise from the system.This is normal.
Electric Parking Brake
 WARNING: Apply the parking brake and shift into park (P) before leaving your vehicle. WARNING: If you drive extended distances with the parking brake applied, you could cause damage to the brake system. WARNING: The electric parking brake does not operate if the vehicle battery has run out of charge. |
Your vehicle has an electric parking brake. You operate it with a switch instead of a lever. The switch is on the center console or to the left-hand side of the steering wheel, on the lower part of the instrument panel.
Note: The electric parking brake makes noises during operation. This is normal.
Applying the Electric Parking Brake
 Pull the switch up. |
The red warning lamp flashes during operation and illuminates when the parking brake is applied. |
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Note: It remains illuminated for a short period of time after you switch the ignition off.
If it continues to flash or does not illuminate, the system has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: You can apply the electric parking brake when the ignition is off.
Note: If you shift your vehicle into park (P) on a slope and the transmission cannot securely hold the vehicle, the electric parking brake automatically applies. See .
Applying the Electric Parking Brake in an Emergency
Note: Do not apply the electric parking brake when your vehicle is moving, except in an emergency. If you repeatedly use the electric parking brake to slow or stop your vehicle, you could cause damage to the brake system.
You can use the electric parking brake to slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
| Pull the switch up and hold it. |
The red warning lamp illuminates, a tone sounds and the stoplamps turn on. |
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The electric parking brake continues to slow your vehicle down unless you release the switch.
Manually Releasing the Electric Parking Brake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
| Push the switch down. |
The red warning lamp turns off. |
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If it remains illuminated or flashes, the system has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a Trailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until the engine has developed sufficient torque to prevent your vehicle from rolling down the hill.
| Release the switch and pull away in a normal manner. |
Automatically Releasing the Electric Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull away in a normal manner.
| The red warning lamp turns off. |
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If it remains illuminated or flashes, the electric parking brake has not released. Manually release the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehicle battery to release the electric parking brake if the vehicle battery is running out of charge. See .
Hill Start Assist
| WARNING: The system does not replace the parking brake. When you leave your vehicle, always apply the parking brake. WARNING: You must remain in your vehicle when the system turns on. At all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system and intervening, if required. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. WARNING: The system will turn off if a malfunction is apparent or if you rev the engine excessively. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. |
The system makes it easier to pull away when your vehicle is on a slope without the need to use the parking brake.
When the system is active, your vehicle remains stationary on the slope for two to three seconds after you release the brake pedal.This allows time to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal.The system releases the brakes automatically once the engine has developed sufficient torque to prevent your vehicle from rolling down the slope.This is an advantage when pulling away on a slope, for example from a car park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill into a parking space.
The system activates on any slope that causes your vehicle to roll.
Note: There is no warning light to indicate the system is either on or off.
Using Hill Start Assist
- Press the brake pedal to bring your vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep the brake pedal pressed and shift into first gear when facing uphill or reverse (R) when facing downhill.
- If the sensors detect that your vehicle is on a slope, the system activates automatically.
- When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, your vehicle remains on the slope without rolling away for about two to three seconds. This hold time automatically extends if you are in the process of driving off.
- Drive off in the normal manner. The system releases the brakes automatically.
Note: When you remove your foot from the brake pedal and press the pedal again when the system is active, you will experience significantly reduced brake pedal travel. This is normal.
Switching the System On and Off
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
You can switch this feature on or off in the information display. The system remembers the last setting when you start your vehicle.
Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
You cannot turn the system on or off. When you switch the ignition on, the system automatically turns on.
Auto Hold
| WARNING: The system does not replace the parking brake. When you leave your vehicle, always apply the parking brake. WARNING: You must remain in your vehicle when the system turns on. At all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system and intervening, if required. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. WARNING: The system turns off if there is a malfunction. |
The system is designed to apply the brakes to hold your vehicle at a standstill after you stop your vehicle and release the brake pedal. This could be beneficial in certain situations, for example when waiting on a hill or in traffic.
Switching Auto Hold On and Off
Note: You can only switch the system on after you close the driver door, and start the engine.
Note: The system remembers the last setting when you start your vehicle.
Make sure you switch the system off before towing with your vehicle or before using an automatic car wash.
Using Auto Hold
- Use the brakes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. The auto hold active indicator illuminates in the information display.
- Release the brake pedal. The system holds your vehicle at a standstill. The auto hold active indicator remains illuminated in the information display.
Note: The system only activates if you apply enough brake pressure. If your vehicle is on a steep slope, you might need to press the brake pedal harder before the system activates.
Note: Under certain conditions, the system could apply the electric parking brake. The brake system warning lamp illuminates. The electric parking brake releases when you press the accelerator pedal. See .
Note: If auto-start-stop turns off the engine, auto hold remains active.
Note: The system deactivates if you shift into reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
- Pull away in the normal manner.The system releases the brakes and the auto hold active indicator turns off.
Auto Hold Indicator
The auto hold indicator illuminates in the information display when the system is on and is either active or unavailable.
  Illuminates when the system is active. Your vehicle remains stationary after you release the brake pedal. |
  Illuminates when the system is on but unavailable to hold your vehicle at a standstill. |
The system could be unavailable when any of the following occur:
- During an active park assist maneuver.
- Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
- The driver door is open.
- You shift into reverse (R) before the system is active.
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