Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION - BASE BRAKES

The base brake system consists of the following components:

- Brake pedal
- Master cylinder
- Power brake booster
- Brake tubes and hoses
- Proportioning valve (non-ABS only)
- Disc brakes (front and rear)
- Brake lamp switch
- Brake fluid level sensor
- Parking brake

All brakes are power assist type through the use of a vacuum operated power brake booster.


The hydraulic brake system is front/rear split on both the non-antilock and antilock braking systems. This means the front brakes are on one hydraulic circuit from the master cylinder and the rear brakes are on the other.


Front disc brakes control the braking of the front wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear disc brakes.


Some vehicles are equipped with an optional antilock brake system (ABS) with traction control. This system shares most base brake hardware used on vehicles without ABS. An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is also available. All components differing from the base brake hardware are described in detail in the Antilock Brake System section.


The parking brake on this vehicle is pedal-operated.