2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner's Manual - Page 130

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) WARNING If water gets into the brake drums, brake performance may become poor and unpredictable. After driving through water or washing the underside of the vehicle, test the brakes while driving at a slow speed to see if they have maintained their normal effectiveness. If the brakes are less effective than normal, dry them by repeatedly applying the brakes while driving slowly until the brakes have regained their normal effectiveness. WARNING Even without reserve power in the brake system, you can still stop the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal harder than normally required. However, the stopping distance may be longer. ABS will help you avoid skidding by electronically controlling braking pressure. It will also help you maintain steering control when braking on slippery surfaces or when braking hard. The ABS works automatically, so you do not need any special braking technique. Just push the brake pedal down without pumping. The ABS will operate whenever it senses that the wheels are locking up. You may feel the brake pedal pulsate while the ABS is operating. NOTE: The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is under about 6 km/h (4 mph). Brake Assist System When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal firmly. NOTE: If you quickly and forcefully depress the brakes, you may hear a clicking sound in the brake pedal. This is normal and indicates that the brake assist system is activated properly. Power-Assisted Brakes Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes. If power assistance is lost due to a stalled engine or other failures, the system is still fully operational on reserve power and you can bring the vehicle to a complete stop by pressing the brake pedal once and holding it down. The reserve power is partly used up when you depress the brake pedal and reduces each time the pedal is pressed. Apply smooth and even pressure to the pedal. Do not pump the pedal. 3-29 79K21-03E