Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation

Brake System
The brake system consists of the following components:
^ Fixed or optional power adjustable brake pedal (with or without memory feature)
^ Front piston brake calipers
^ Hydraulic control unit (HCU) (part of the ABS)
^ Master cylinder and fluid reservoir
^ ABS with optional roll stability control (RSC)
^ Rear single piston brake calipers with a drum-in-hat integrated parking brake system
^ Vacuum-assisted power brake booster

The brake pedal is connected to the power brake booster, which is connected to the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake fluid is pushed through the doubled-walled steel tubes and flexible hoses to the front and rear disc brake calipers. The brake fluid enters the disc brake calipers, forcing the caliper pistons and brake pads outward against the brake disc friction surface, slowing or stopping rotation. When the brake pedal is released, brake fluid pressure is relieved, returning the front and rear disc brake caliper pistons and brake pads to the unapplied position.

The vehicle has an optional adjustable brake pedal to increase driver comfort. The brake pedal position is changed in phase with the accelerator pedal. The system is adjusted by pressing the dash-mounted switch that powers the adjustable pedal motor mounted on the accelerator pedal assembly. On systems equipped with the optional memory feature, the pedals can also be adjusted using the memory SET switch and the remote transmitter. The 2-way motor operates backward (toward the driver) or forward (away from the driver) to adjust the accelerator pedal directly and the brake pedal through the drive cable attached to the brake pedal assembly.

For information on:
^ the adjustable pedals, refer to Diagnosis and Testing. Testing and Inspection
^ the non-adjustable pedals, refer to Hydraulic System, Brakes.
^ ABS and HCU, refer to Antilock Brakes / Traction Control Systems.
^ the master cylinder and fluid reservoir, refer to Hydraulic System, Brakes.
^ the vacuum assisted power brake booster, refer to Power Brake Assist.
^ the brake calipers, refer to Disc Brake System.
^ the drum-in-hat integrated parking brake system, refer to Parking Brake System.