Get Driving -> Braking system Guide for Cupra Leon 4 Door First Generation (2020-2026)

Braking and parking

If the verification box on the instrument pan-

el or the infotainment system is checked ,

the functionality will be automatically activa-

ted when switching on the ignition.

warning will have to be deactivated manually

when driving with a trailer.

Braking and parking

Braking system

When the lane departure warning is ready to

operate, the indications in the control lamps

will turn on briefly as confirmation.

Control lamps

It lights up red



When the vehicle is restarted, the last ad-

justment in the system will remain active.

Brake fluid level too low page 324 or fault in the

›››

brake system.



Do not carry on driving!

Trailer mode

The lane departure warning, the rear cross

traffic alert and the door opening warning

will be automatically deactivated and will be

prevented from reactivating if the factory-

mounted tow hook is electrically connected

to a trailer or other similar device.

It lights up red



Electronic parking brake page 265 .

›››

The warning lamp turns off when the handbrake is re-

leased.

It lights up yellow



As soon as the driver starts to drive with a

trailer connected electrically to the vehicle, a

message will appear on the instrument panel

display indicating that the lane departure

warning, the rear cross traffic alert and the

door opening warning are deactivated. Once

the vehicle trailer has been disengaged, the

lane departure warning, the rear cross traffic

alert and the door opening warning will re-

turn to the initial state prior to the moment

the trailer was electrically connected.

Front brake pads worn.

Contact a specialised workshop immediately.

WARNING

●

When the ignition is switched on, the sta-

tus of the brake system and the brake assist

functions is automatically checked. The

control lights on the instrument cluster

light up briefly and then turn off again. If a

warning light stays on permanently, there is

a fault. Seek qualified technical assistance

immediately.

If the towing hook is not factory-mounted,

then the lane departure warning, the rear

cross traffic alert and the door opening

●

If the brake warning lamp  does not go

out or if it lights up when driving, the brake

263

Driving

Wear

Corrosion

fluid level in the reservoir is too lo so there

is a risk of an accident page 324, Brake

›››

The rate of wear on the brake pads depends

a great deal on how you drive and the condi-

tions in which the vehicle is operated. This is

a particular problem in urban traffic and

short stretches, or with very sporty driving.

There may be a tendency for corrosion to

form on the discs and dirt to build up on the

brake pads if the vehicle is used infrequently

or the brakes are not used very often.

fluid. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on.

Obtain technical assistance.

●

If the brake warning lamp lights up  to-

gether with the ABS lamp  this could be

due to an ABS fault. When this function

fails, the rear wheels can lock up. Under

certain circumstances, the rear of the vehi-

cle may skid, with the danger of losing con-

trol. Stop and seek technical assistance.

If the brakes are not used frequently, or if

rust has formed on the disks, it is advisable to

clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly

Depending on the speed, the braking force

and the environmental conditions (e.g. tem-

perature, air humidity, etc.) noises may be

produced when braking.

a few times at a moderately high speed

›››

Fault in the brake system

●

If the  lamp lights up, alone or accom-

Wet roads or road salt

panied by a warning message on the instru-

ment panel display, please go immediately

to a specialised workshop to check the

brake pads and to replace them if they are

worn.

If the brake pedal travel should ever increase

suddenly, this may mean that one of the two

brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to

the nearest specialised workshop and have

the fault repaired. Drive there slowly and re-

member that you will have to apply more

pressure on the brake pedal and allow for

longer stopping distances.

In certain situations (for example, on driving

through flooded areas, in severe downpours

or after washing the vehicle) the braking ac-

tion could be delayed if the discs and pads

are damp, or frozen in winter. In this case the

brakes should be “dried” by pressing the

brake pedal several times.

Information about the brakes

At high speed and with the windscreen wip-

ers activated, the brake pads will briefly

touch the brake discs. This takes place, al-

though unnoticeable to the driver, at regular

intervals to improve the response time of the

brakes when they are wet.

New brake pads

Low brake fluid level

For the first 200 to 300 km (100 to 200

miles), new brake pads have not yet reached

their maximum braking capacity, and need

to be “run in” first. However, you can com-

pensate for the slightly reduced braking ef-

fect by applying more pressure on the brake

pedal. Avoid overloading the brakes while

running them in.

Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if

the brake fluid level is too low. The brake fluid

level is monitored electronically.

Brake servo

The effectiveness of the brakes can also be

temporarily reduced if the vehicle is driven

for some distance without using the brakes

when there is a lot of salt on the road in win-

ter. The layer of salt that accumulates on the

discs and pads can be removed by gently ap-

plying the brakes a few times.

The brake servo increases the pressure you

apply to the brake pedal. It works only when

the engine is running.

264

Braking and parking

Electromechanical brake servo (eBKV)

tance will increase. Apply and then release

the brakes alternately.

Note

The electromechanical brake servo only

works when the ignition is switched on and

optimises the force of the foot by increasing

the pressure that the driver exerts on the

brake pedal.

●

If the brake servo is out of action, for ex-

●

Apply the brakes heavily to clean the

ample when the car is being towed, you will

have to press the brake pedal considerably

harder than normal to make up for the lack

of servo assistance.

brake system only in a suitable traffic situa-

tion. Do not put other road users in danger:

there is risk of causing an accident.

●

Ensure the vehicle does not move while in

●

If you wish to equip the vehicle with ac-

If the electromechanical brake servo is not

working, the brake pedal must be pressed

harder, as the braking distance increases due

to the lack of assistance from the servo

brake.

neutral, when the engine is stopped. The

braking distance is increased considerably

when the brake servo is not active.

cessories such as a front spoiler or wheel

covers, it is important that the flow of air to

the front wheels is not obstructed, other-

wise the brakes can overheat.

●

If the brake is subjected to high stresses,

vapour bubbles may form in the brake sys-

tem's pipes. This reduces the efficiency of

the brakes.

WARNING

Electronic parking brake (EPB)

Any anomaly in the brake system can in-

crease the braking distance, with the re-

sulting risk of an accident.

●

Non-standard or damaged front spoilers

could restrict the airflow to the brakes and

cause them to overheat. Before purchasing

accessories please read the relevant in-

structions.

●

New brake pads and discs must be run in

and do not have the correct friction during

the first 200 km (124 miles). This reduced

braking capacity may be offset by pressing

on the brake pedal a little harder.

CAUTION

●

Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving

●

If you are driving on roads which have

your foot on the pedal when it is not neces-

sary to brake. This overheats the brakes, re-

sulting in longer stopping distances and

greater wear.

been salted, braking effectiveness may be

decreased.

●

Brakes can overheat if used excessively

Fig. 187 In the lower part of the centre

console: electronic parking brake button

on slopes. Before driving down a long steep

slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and

change down into a lower gear or range.

Therefore, using the engine brake relieves

the brakes.

●

Before driving down a long, steep gradi-

ent, it is advisable to reduce speed and se-

lect a lower gear. This makes use of engine

braking and relieves the brakes. If you still

have to use the brakes, it is better to brake

firmly at intervals than to apply the brakes

continuously.

The electronic parking brake replaces the

handbrake

›››

●

Gentle continuous braking causes the

brakes to overheat and the braking dis-

265

Driving

●

Applying the electronic parking brake

A gear range is engaged or switched to an-

Automatic activation of the electronic

parking brake when turning the ignition

off

other one and the accelerator pedal is lightly

pressed.

The electronic parking brake can be activa-

ted whenever the vehicle is at a standstill,

even when the ignition is switched off. Acti-

vate it whenever you leave or park the vehi-

cle.

●

To facilitate certain manoeuvres there are

This function can be deactivated through

exceptions that allow the automatic parking

brake to be released without the driver's seat

belt being fastened.

the Infotainment system page 92 .

›››

Emergency brake function

●

Pull and hold the  Fig. 187 button.

›››

Only use the emergency brake function if

you are unable to stop the vehicle with the

The parking brake can be prevented from

being automatically released by continuously

pulling up the  Fig. 187 switch when

The parking brake is activated when the

control light of button Fig. 187 and the

›››

foot brake

›››

red  control lamp on the instrument panel

starting off.

is always on.

●

Pull and hold the  Fig. 187 button in

›››

The electronic parking brake is not discon-

nected until the  button is released. This

can facilitate starting off when a heavy load is

this position to forcefully brake the vehicle.

At the same time, an acoustic warning can

be heard.

●

Release the button.

Disconnecting the electronic parking

brake

towed page 288 .

›››

●

To stop the braking process, release the

 button or press the accelerator.

●

Switch the ignition on.

Automatic activation of the electronic

parking brake when exiting the vehicle in-

correctly

Press the button  Fig. 187 . At the

›››

WARNING

same time step hard on the brake pedal or, if

the engine is running, press the accelerator

pedal slightly.

The improper use of the electronic parking

brake can cause accidents and serious in-

jury.

In vehicles with automatic transmission, the

electronic parking brake is activated auto-

matically when exiting the vehicle incorrectly

if:

●

The control lamp of button Fig. 187 (ar-

›››

●

Never use the electronic parking brake to

row) and the red  control lamp on the in-

stop the vehicle, unless it is an emergency.

Braking distances can be considerably lon-

ger, since, under certain circumstances,

only the rear wheels brake. Always use the

foot brake.

strument panel go out.

●

The selector lever is in the D/S or R or is in

tiptronic mode.

Automatic release of the electronic park-

ing brake upon moving off

●

AND: the vehicle is stationary.

AND: the driver door is open.

The electronic parking brake is automatically

switched off when starting if, after the driv-

er's door is closed and the driver's seat belt

fastened, any of the following situations take

place:

●

Never accelerate from the engine when a

gear range or a gear is engaged and the en-

gine is running. The vehicle could move,

even if the electronic parking brake is acti-

vated.

266

Braking and parking

Auto Hold Function

Auto Hold function holds the vehicle. The

driver can lift their foot off the brake pedal.

●

When the electronic parking brake is

switched on or off, there is a slight move-

ment of the brake pedal. Be careful not to

position your foot under the pedal.

When the driver touches the accelerator

pedal or accelerates slightly to continue driv-

ing, the Auto Hold function releases the

brake. The vehicle moves according to the

slope of the road.

CAUTION

To prevent the vehicle from unintentionally

moving when parking it, first apply the

electronic parking brake and then remove

your foot from the brake pedal.

If the vehicle is stationary and one of the

conditions required by the Auto Hold func-

tion is impaired, it disconnects itself and the

button's control light goes out Fig. 188 .

›››

The electronic parking brake connects auto-

matically, if necessary, to park the vehicle

Note

Fig. 188 In the lower part of the centre

console: Auto Hold function button.

●

If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be

safely

›››

possible to disconnect the electronic park-

The indicator lamp of the Auto Hold

ing brake. Use the jump-start page 54 .

›››

When the electronic parking brake is ap-

Conditions for keeping the vehicle station-

ary with the Auto Hold function

Fig. 188 button remains on when the Au-

to Hold function is connected.

›››

●

plied or released, noises may be heard.

●

The driver door must be closed.

The driver's seat belt must be fastened.

The engine is running.

●

Once connected, the Auto Hold function as-

sists the driver in keeping the vehicle station-

ary at repeated intervals or for a certain peri-

od of time with the engine running, for ex-

ample, when going up a slope, when stop-

ped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic with in-

termittent stops.

The system performs automatic and au-

dible tests sporadically in the parked vehi-

cle if some time elapses without the elec-

tronic parking brake being used.

Switching the Auto Hold function on and

off

Press the Auto Hold button

trol lamp on the button goes out when the

Auto Hold function is switched off.

. The con-

›››

When connected, the Auto Hold function

automatically prevents the vehicle from roll-

ing when stationary without pressing the

brake pedal.

Automatically engaging and disengaging

the Auto Hold function

After detecting that the vehicle is stationary

and the brake pedal has been released, the

If the Auto Hold function was switched on via

the Auto Hold button before switching the

267

Driving -> Braking system for Your Cupra Leon 4 Door First Generation (2020-2026)

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