Your Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership will give you further information about correct
maintenance and about replacement parts which are especially energy-efficient, e.g. new tyres.
Information on the brakes
New brake padscannot generate the full braking effect during the first 200 to 300 km and must first be “run in”→
. However, you can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by applying more pressure to the brake
pedal. During the run-in period, the braking distance is longer when the brakes are depressed fully or during
emergency braking than with that have been fully run in. In the run-in period, the brakes should not be depressed
fully and situations should be avoided that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up close to the vehicle
ahead.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the vehicle is operated
and the way in which the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular urban trips or short journeys and is driven
with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be regularly checked by a qualified workshop.
When driving withwet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after washing the
vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly iced up (in winter). The brakes
must be “dried” as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher speed. Make sure that no following vehicle and no
other road user is put at risk as a result of this action →
.
Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and padswill delay the braking effect and increase the braking distance. If
the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that have been gritted with salt, the layer of
salt must be reduced through careful braking →
.
Corrosion on the brake discs anddirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of inactivity, low mileage
and low load levels. With inactivity or low use levels for the brake pads as well as corrosion, Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicles recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several times from high
speed. Make sure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of this action →
.
Brake servo
The electromechanical brake servo supports the driver’s foot pressure when the ignition is switched on, and boosts
the pressure applied to the brake pedal by the driver.
If the electromechanical brake servo is not functioning, the brake pedal will have to be depressed more forcefully as
the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system. →
.
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and serious injuries.
● If you have reason to believe that the brakes are worn down or the brake system is faulty, go to a qualified
workshop immediately and have the brake system checked and have any worn brake pads replaced.
WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimum braking effect when first fitted.
● New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be “run in”. A
reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal.
● You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads in order to reduce the risk of accidents,
serious injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
● Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never create a driving situation that
will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance.
182