Breaking in brake pads
During the first approx. 200 to 300 km (approx. 100 to 200 miles), new brake
pads do not yet have their full braking
efficiency and first need to be "worn in" →
. However, you can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by
pressing firmly on the brake pedal. During the break-in period, the braking
distance during full braking or automatic
braking is longer than with brake pads that have been broken in. During the
break-in period, avoid full braking and
situations that place a heavy load on the brakes, such as driving too close to
the vehicle ahead.
Brake pad wear
Brake pad wear depends on driving conditions and style. When driving frequently in cities and on curves or with a sporty driving style, have your brake pads checked frequently by suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
External influences on the brake
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, in
heavy rain, or after washing your vehicle,
the braking efficiency can be reduced by moisture or ice on the brake discs. You
must "dry" the brakes as soon as
possible by braking carefully at high speeds. The braking strength must be
higher than can be delayed by
recuperation to engage the brake pads. For these braking maneuvers, engage gear
so that energy recuperation
is
not used for braking. Ensure that you do not endanger any other vehicles or
anyone else on the road →
.
A coating of salt on the brake discs and brake pads reduces the braking efficiency and increases the braking distance.
If you do not apply the brakes for long periods of time on salt-covered roads,
you must brake carefully to clean off
the layer of salt →
. The braking
strength must be higher than can be delayed by recuperation, to enable the layer
of salt to be cleaned off by the engaged brake pads. For these braking
maneuvers, engage gear
so that
energy
recuperation is not used for braking. Ensure that you do not endanger any other
vehicles or anyone else on the road
→
.
Leaving the vehicle parked for long periods of time, low mileage, and avoiding
heavy braking can contribute to
corrosion on the brake rotors and dirty brake pads. If you usually avoid heavy
braking or if there is corrosion present,
occasional heavy braking at high speeds is recommended to clean the brake rotors
and pads. For these braking
maneuvers, engage gear so that energy recuperation is not used for braking.
Ensure that you do not endanger any
other vehicles or anyone else on the road →
.
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or a malfunctioning brake system can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING
Up to the first approx. 300 km (approx. 200 miles), new brake pads do not yet have their full braking efficiency and first need to be "worn in". Insufficient braking efficiency can increase the risk of accidents. This can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
WARNING
Prolonged braking causes the brakes to overheat. This can considerably reduce braking performance, increase braking distance and possibly cause a total brake system malfunction. This can cause a loss of vehicle control, accidents, and serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING
When driving downhill, a lot of force is placed on the brakes and they become hot quickly. Overheated brakes reduces the braking efficiency and increase the braking distance considerably. This can cause loss of vehicle control, accidents, and serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING
Wet, icy, or salt-covered brakes will take longer to brake and increase the braking distance. This can cause a loss of vehicle control, accidents, and serious or fatal injuries.
Regularly check the thickness of the front brake pads visually by inspecting them through the openings in the wheel rims or from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels so that the brake pads can be inspected. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If you are having the front brake pads checked, the brake pads in the drum brake on the rear axle should be checked at the same time. The check is performed through an eyehole on the rear side of the drum. To do this, you must remove a sealing plug. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Troubleshooting
Brake
system malfunction
The red warning light turns on. A message may also be displayed.
Brake pad
wear indicator
The yellow indicator light turns on. Brake pads are worn.
and
The
brake is too hot
The yellow indicator light turns on.
An audible warning may also sound. Where applicable, a message will appear in the instrument cluster display.
Unusual noises when braking
If there are sustained scraping or squeaking noises when braking, that is a sign of worn brake pads on the front or rear axle.
If the vehicle's braking performance changes
If the brake pads are worn or if you notice that your vehicle does not brake as usual, e.g. the braking distance suddenly increases:
Electronic immobilizer
The immobilizer helps prevent drive-ready mode from being established and the vehicle from being moved with an unauthorized vehicle key.
Vehicles with a Starter Button
In the remote control vehicle key, there is a chip used to automatically deactivate the electronic immobilizer when there is a valid remote control vehicle key in the vehicle interior.
The electronic immobilizer is automatically engaged as soon as the ignition is switched off (→ Starter button) .
You can only activate vehicle's drive system with a suitably coded Volkswagen Original vehicle key. You can obtain coded vehicle keys from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
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