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Home > Driving your vehicle > Before driving > Good braking practices

Good braking practices

  • Be sure the parking brake is not engaged and the parking brake indicator light is off before driving.

  • The vehicle will not stop as quickly if the brakes are wet. Apply the brakes lightly until the braking action returns to normal.

  • Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting your foot on the brake pedal whilst driving can be dangerous because the brakes might overheat and lose their effectiveness. It also increases the wear of the brake components.

  • If a tyre goes flat whilst driving, apply the brakes gently and keep the vehicle pointed straight-ahead whilst slowing down the vehicle. Pull the vehicle slowly and safely off the road and stop in a safe place.

  • Be cautious when parking on a hill. Firmly engage the parking brake and change the gear in P (Park).

  • If your vehicle is facing downhill, turn the front wheels into the kerb to help keep the vehicle from rolling.

    If your vehicle is facing uphill, turn the front wheels away from the kerb to help keep the vehicle from rolling.

  • Block the wheels if there is no kerb or if it is required by other conditions to keep the vehicle from rolling.

  • Parking brake can freeze in the engaged position under certain conditions such as snow or ice around or near the rear brakes or if the brakes are wet.

    If there is a risk that the parking brake may freeze, apply it only temporarily whilst you change the gear in P (Park) and block the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll. Then release the parking brake.

  • Do not hold the vehicle on an incline with the accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.