Get Tips and Maintenance -> Intelligent technology Guide for Seat Ibiza SUV Second Generation (1993-2002)

132 Intelligent technology

IInntteelllliiggeenntt tteecchhnnoollooggyy

BBrraakkeess

General notes

• Brake lining wear depends to a large extent on the operating

conditions and style of driving. On vehicles which are used mainly

in town traffic and stop/ start conditions or are driven hard it may

be necessary to have the thickness of the brake linings checked by

a Technical Service Centre in between the intervals given in the

Inspection and Service Schedule.

• Change down in good time when driving downhill, in order to

make use of the engine braking effect. This relieves strain on the

brake system. When the brakes are applied do not keep them on

continuously, apply and release alternately.

What can have a negative effect on the brakes?

WWeett oorr ggrriitttteedd rrooaadd ssuurrffaaccee

OOvveerrhheeaattiinngg ooff tthhee bbrraakkeess

•

UUnnddeerr cceerrttaaiinn ccoonnddiittiioonnss ee..gg.. aafftteerr ddrriivviinngg tthhrroouugghh wwaatteerr,, hheeaavvyy rraaiinn ffaallllss

oorr aafftteerr tthhee vveehhiiccllee hhaass bbeeeenn wwaasshheedd,, tthhee bbrraakkeess ccoouulldd sseett iinn llaatteerr tthhaann

nnoorrmmaall dduuee ttoo ddaammpp,, oorr iinn wwiinntteerr –– ffrroozzeenn,, bbrraakkee ddiissccss aanndd lliinniinnggss –– tthhee

bbrraakkeess mmuusstt ffiirrsstt bbee ddrriieedd tthhrroouugghh ccaarreeffuull bbrraakkiinngg..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

•

FFuullll bbrraakkiinngg ppoowweerr mmiigghhtt aallssoo sseett iinn llaatteerr tthhaann nnoorrmmaall eevveenn wwhheenn ddrriivviinngg

oonn ggrriitttteedd rrooaaddss iiff yyoouu hhaavvee nnoott bbrraakkeedd ffoorr ssoommee ttiimmee –– tthhee llaayyeerr ooff ssaalltt oonn

tthhee bbrraakkee ddiisskkss aanndd bbrraakkee lliinniinnggss mmuusstt ffiirrsstt bbee wwoorrnn ddoowwnn wwhhiillsstt bbrraakkiinngg..

WWAARRNNIINNGG ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd))

•• NNeevveerr lleett tthhee bbrraakkeess ““rruubb”” bbyy pprreessssiinngg tthhee ppeeddaall ttoooo lliigghhttllyy wwhheenn yyoouu ddoo

nnoott rreeaallllyy nneeeedd ttoo bbrraakkee.. TThhiiss ccaauusseess tthhee bbrraakkeess ttoo oovveerrhheeaatt,, lleeaaddss ttoo

lloonnggeerr bbrraakkiinngg ddiissttaanncceess aanndd ttoo aa hhiigghheerr lleevveell ooff wweeaarr..

•• BBeeffoorree ssttaarrttiinngg oonn aa lloonngg ssttrreettcchh ooff rrooaadd iinn aa vveerryy hhiillllyy aarreeaa,, pplleeaassee rreedduuccee

yyoouurr ssppeeeedd,, cchhaannggee ttoo aa lloowweerr ggeeaarr ((mmaannuuaall ggeeaarrbbooxx)) oorr cchhoooossee aa lloowweerr

ppoossiittiioonn ((aauuttoommaattiicc ggeeaarrbbooxx)).. IInn tthhiiss wwaayy yyoouu wwiillll uussee tthhee bbrraakkiinngg ppoowweerr ooff

tthhee eennggiinnee aanndd rreelliieevvee pprreessssuurree oonn tthhee bbrraakkeess..

•• IIff aa ffrroonntt ssppooiilleerr,, ffuullll ssiizzee wwhheeeell ttrriimmss eettcc..,, iiss rreettrrooffiitttteedd,, iitt iiss nneecceessssaarryy ttoo

eennssuurree tthhaatt tthhee ffllooww ooff aaiirr ttoo tthhee ffrroonntt bbrraakkeess iiss nnoott rreessttrriicctteedd –– ootthheerrwwiissee

tthhee bbrraakkeess ccaann oovveerrhheeaatt..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

133Intelligent technology

Safety First

Controls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Servobrake

AAnnttii--lloocckk bbrraakkee ssyysstteemm aanndd ttrraaccttiioonn ccoonnttrrooll

AABBSS

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during

braking.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is an important part of the

vehicle’s active safety system.

HHooww tthhee AABBSS wwoorrkkss

If one of the wheels is turning too slowly in relation to the road

speed, and is close to locking, the system will reduce the braking

pressure for this wheel. The driver is made aware of this control

process by a

ppuullssaattiinngg ooff tthhee bbrraakkee ppeeddaall

and audible noise.

This is a deliberate warning to the driver that one or more of the

wheels is tending to lock and the ABS control function has

intervened. In this situation it is important to keep the brake pedal

fully depressed so the ABS can regulate the brake application. Do

not pump the brake pedal.

If you brake hard on a slippery road surface, the best possible

control is retained as the wheels do not lock.

However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee shorter braking

distances in all conditions. The braking distance could even be

longer if you brake on gravel or on fresh snow covering a slippery

surface.

The traction control system (TCS)*

This system includes

AABBSS

and

TTCCSS

The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from

spinning when the car is accelerating.

TThhee sseerrvvoo iiss ooppeerraatteedd bbyy aa vvaaccuuuumm wwhhiicchh iiss oonnllyy ggeenneerraatteedd wwhheenn tthhee

eennggiinnee iiss rruunnnniinngg.. FFoorr tthhiiss rreeaassoonn tthhee vveehhiiccllee sshhoouulldd nnoott bbee aalllloowweedd ttoo rroollll

wwiitthh tthhee eennggiinnee sswwiittcchheedd ooffff..

WWhheenn tthhee bbrraakkee sseerrvvoo iiss nnoott wwoorrkkiinngg bbeeccaauussee,, ffoorr eexxaammppllee,, tthhee vveehhiiccllee iiss

bbeeiinngg ttoowweedd oorr aa ddeeffeecctt hhaass ooccccuurrrreedd oonn tthhee bbrraakkee sseerrvvoo iittsseellff,, tthhee bbrraakkee

ppeeddaall mmuusstt bbee pprreesssseedd ccoonnssiiddeerraabbllyy hhaarrddeerr ttoo ccoommppeennssaattee ffoorr tthhee aabbsseennccee

ooff sseerrvvoo aassssiissttaannccee..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

•• TThhee aannttii--lloocckk bbrraakkee ssyysstteemm ccaannnnoott ddeeffyy tthhee llaawwss ooff pphhyyssiiccss.. SSlliippppeerryy aanndd

wweett rrooaaddss aarree ddaannggeerroouuss eevveenn wwiitthh AABBSS!! IIff yyoouu nnoottiiccee tthhaatt tthhee AABBSS iiss

wwoorrkkiinngg ((ttoo ccoouunntteerraacctt lloocckkeedd wwhheeeellss uunnddeerr bbrraakkiinngg)),, yyoouu sshhoouulldd rreedduuccee

ssppeeeedd iimmmmeeddiiaatteellyy ttoo ssuuiitt tthhee rrooaadd aanndd ttrraaffffiicc ccoonnddiittiioonnss.. DDoo nnoott lleett tthhee

eexxttrraa ssaaffeettyy ffeeaattuurreess tteemmpptt yyoouu iinnttoo ttaakkiinngg aannyy rriisskkss wwhheenn ddrriivviinngg..

•• TThhee eeffffeeccttiivveenneessss ooff AABBSS iiss aallssoo ddeetteerrmmiinneedd bbyy tthhee ttyyrreess ffiitttteedd..

•• IIff tthhee rruunnnniinngg ggeeaarr oorr bbrraakkeess aarree mmooddiiffiieedd,, tthhee eeffffeeccttiivveenneessss ooff tthhee AABBSS

ccoouulldd bbee sseevveerreellyy lliimmiitteedd..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

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134 Intelligent technology

DDeessccrriippttiioonn aanndd ooppeerraattiioonn ooff tthhee ttrraaccttiioonn ccoonnttrrooll ssyysstteemm dduurriinngg

aacccceelleerraattiioonn ((TTCCSS))

TCS reduces engine power to help prevent the drive wheels of front-

wheel drive vehicles losing traction during acceleration. The system

works in the entire speed range in conjunction with ABS. If a

malfunction should occur in the ABS, the TCS will also be out of

action.

TCS helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a

gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be

difficult or even impossible.

The TCS is switched on automatically when the engine is started. If

necessary, it may be turned on or off by briefly pushing the button

on the centre console.

When the TCS is off, the warning lamp is lit.

The TCS should normally be left switched on at all times. Only in

exceptional circumstances, when slipping of the wheels is

required, should it be disconnected, for example:

– With compact temporary spare wheel.

– When using the snow chains

– When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces

– When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by rocking it.

The TCS should be switched on again afterwards as soon as

possible.

NNoottee

• In order to ensure that TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be

fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres

can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.

• Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the

efficiency of the ABS and TCS.

EElleeccttrroonniicc ssttaabbiilliissaattiioonn pprrooggrraammmmee ((EESSPP))**

General notes

The electronic stabilisation program increases the vehicle’s

stability on the road.

The electronic stabilisation program helps to reduce the danger of

skidding. It includes the

AABBSS

EEDDLL

and

TTCCSS

systems.

HHooww EESSPP wwoorrkkss

ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels

individually.

The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to

calculate the changes of direction desired by the driver, and

•• IItt mmuusstt bbee rreemmeemmbbeerreedd tthhaatt TTCCSS ccaannnnoott ddeeffyy tthhee llaawwss ooff pphhyyssiiccss.. TThhiiss

sshhoouulldd bbee kkeepptt iinn mmiinndd,, ppaarrttiiccuullaarrllyy oonn sslliippppeerryy aanndd wweett rrooaaddss aanndd wwhheenn

ttoowwiinngg aa ttrraaiilleerr..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

•• AAllwwaayyss aaddaapptt yyoouurr ddrriivviinngg ssttyyllee ttoo ssuuiitt tthhee ccoonnddiittiioonn ooff tthhee rrooaaddss aanndd tthhee

ttrraaffffiicc ssiittuuaattiioonn.. DDoo nnoott lleett tthhee eexxttrraa ssaaffeettyy aaffffoorrddeedd bbyy TTCCSS tteemmpptt yyoouu iinnttoo

ttaakkiinngg aannyy rriisskkss wwhheenn ddrriivviinngg,, tthhiiss ccaann ccaauussee aacccciiddeennttss..

WWAARRNNIINNGG ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd))



135Intelligent technology

Safety First

Controls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

constantly compares them with the actual behaviour of the vehicle.

If the desired course is not being maintained (for instance, if the

car is starting to skid), then the ESP compensates automatically by

braking the appropriate wheel.

The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a

stable condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will

act on the front wheel on the outside of the turn.

NNoottee

•

In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be

fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres

can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.

•

Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affectthe

efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during

braking

⇒

chapter “Anti-lock brake system and traction control

ABS”.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)

The electronic differential lock helps prevent the loss of traction

caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.

EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a

gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be

difficult or even impossible.

It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed of the driven wheels.

In case of an EDL fault the warning light for ABS lights up

⇒

chapter “Warning lamps”.

At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out

differences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100

rpm caused by a slippery road surface on one side of the vehicle. It

does this by braking the wheel which has lost traction and

distributing more driving force to the other driven wheel via the

differential.

To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating,

the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The

vehicle will continue to function normally without EDL. For this

reason, the driver is not informed that the EDL has been switched

off.

The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has

cooled down.

•• IItt mmuusstt bbee rreemmeemmbbeerreedd tthhaatt TTCCSS ccaannnnoott ddeeffyy tthhee llaawwss ooff pphhyyssiiccss.. TThhiiss

sshhoouulldd bbee kkeepptt iinn mmiinndd,, ppaarrttiiccuullaarrllyy oonn sslliippppeerryy aanndd wweett rrooaaddss aanndd wwhheenn

ttoowwiinngg aa ttrraaiilleerr..

•• AAllwwaayyss aaddaapptt yyoouurr ddrriivviinngg ssttyyllee ttoo ssuuiitt tthhee ccoonnddiittiioonn ooff tthhee rrooaaddss aanndd tthhee

ttrraaffffiicc ssiittuuaattiioonn.. DDoo nnoott lleett tthhee eexxttrraa ssaaffeettyy aaffffoorrddeedd bbyy EESSPP tteemmpptt yyoouu iinnttoo

ttaakkiinngg aannyy rriisskkss wwhheenn ddrriivviinngg,, tthhiiss ccaann ccaauussee aacccciiddeennttss..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

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136 Intelligent technology

NNoottee

•

Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the

efficiency of the EDL.

The traction control system (TCS)

The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from

spinning when the car is accelerating

⇒

chapter “Anti-lock brake

system and traction control ABS”.

PPoowweerr sstteeeerriinngg**

Do not keep the steering wheel fully turned more than 15 seconds

when the engine is switched on, as the hydraulic oil will be heated

to a high temperature by the servo pump.

TThhiiss ccoouulldd ddaammaaggee tthhee ppoowweerr sstteeeerriinngg ssyysstteemm..

Furthermore, each time you turn the steering wheel as far as it will

go with the engine off, you will hear a series of noises made by the

excessive effort of the servo pump. Another consequence is the

decrease of the idling speed for a short period of time.

NNoottee

Some functional aspects of the vehicle can be programmed according to

the client’s driving style. For further information, consult the Technical

Service.

•• WWhheenn aacccceelleerraattiinngg oonn aa sslliippppeerryy ssuurrffaaccee,, ffoorr eexxaammppllee oonn iiccee aanndd ssnnooww,,

pprreessss tthhee aacccceelleerraattoorr ccaarreeffuullllyy.. DDeessppiittee EEDDLL,, tthhee ddrriivveenn wwhheeeellss mmaayy ssttaarrtt ttoo

ssppiinn.. TThhiiss ccoouulldd iimmppaaiirr tthhee vveehhiiccllee’’ss ssttaabbiilliittyy..

•• AAllwwaayyss aaddaapptt yyoouurr ddrriivviinngg ssttyyllee ttoo ssuuiitt tthhee ccoonnddiittiioonn ooff tthhee rrooaaddss aanndd tthhee

ttrraaffffiicc ssiittuuaattiioonn.. DDoo nnoott lleett tthhee eexxttrraa ssaaffeettyy aaffffoorrddeedd bbyy EEDDLL tteemmpptt yyoouu iinnttoo

ttaakkiinngg aannyy rriisskkss wwhheenn ddrriivviinngg,, tthhiiss ccaann ccaauussee aacccciiddeennttss..

WWAARRNNIINNGG

Tips and Maintenance -> Intelligent technology for Your Seat Ibiza SUV Second Generation (1993-2002)

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