Braking
Brake System
■ Parking Brake Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. When the parking brake is applied, you can manually or automatically release it.
The electric parking brake can be applied any time the vehicle has battery, no matter which position the ignition switch*1 is in.
Pull the electric parking brake switch up gently and securely.
u The indicator in the switch comes on.
u The parking brake and brake system indicator (red) comes on.
The ignition switch must be ON w*1 in order to release the electric parking brake.
indicator (red) goes off.
Manually releasing the parking brake using the switch helps your vehicle start slowly and smoothly when facing down hill on steep hills.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
uuBrakinguBrake System
Use the accelerator pedal to release the parking brake when you are starting the vehicle facing uphill, or in a traffic jam.
Depressing the accelerator pedal releases the parking brake.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
When on a hill, it may require more accelerator input to release.
u The parking brake and brake system indicator (red) goes off.
The parking brake automatically releases as you depress the accelerator pedal when:
or N.Continued 495
uuBrakinguBrake System
■ Foot Brake Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist helps to reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system
increases the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an
emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 500
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 499
uuBrakinguBrake System
■ Automatic Brake Hold Keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal until the accelerator pedal is pressed. You can use this system while the vehicle is temporarily stopped, like at
traffic lights and in heavy traffic.
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uuBrakinguBrake System
• You engage the parking brake.
• You depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever to 
or R.
• Braking is kept for more than 10 minutes.
• The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.
• The engine is turned off.
• There is a problem with automatic brake hold system.
While the system is on, press the automatic brake hold button again.
u The automatic brake hold system indicator goes off.
If you want to turn off automatic brake hold while the system is in operation, press the automatic brake hold button with the brake pedal depressed.
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
■ ABS Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you can.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as “stomp and steer.”
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Depress the brake pedal and keep holding the pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
ABS may activate when you depress the brake pedal when driving on:
• Wet or snow covered roads.
• Roads paved with stone.
• Roads with uneven surfaces, such as potholes, cracks, manholes, etc.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
499
uuBrakinguBrake Assist System
Designed to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress the brake pedal hard during emergency braking.
Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.
When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.
500
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