Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation

Fig. 1 Diagonally Split Brake System:





These vehicles use a diagonally split hydraulic system, Fig. 1. This system combines the left front and right rear brake on one hydraulic circuit, while the right front and left rear are on the other.
Installed in master cylinder are integral brake proportioning valves, which limit the fluid pressure to the rear brakes after a predetermined rear brake pressure has been reached. These valves are used to minimize the occurance of rear wheel lock-up when the brakes are applied and the vehicle is lightly loaded in the rear.
A brake fluid level sensor, located in the brake fluid reservoir, will activate the brake warning lamp if the brake fluid becomes low. After the brake fluid level is corrected and a moderately high brake pedal force is applied, the brake warning lamp should go off.