Braking

Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time.

Average driver reaction time is about three-qaurters of a second. In that time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20m (66 ft), which could be a lot of distance in an emergency.

Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:

  • Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Avoid needless heavy braking.
  • Keep pace with traffic.

If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. Doing so could make the pedal harder to push down. If the engine stops, there will be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

    See also:

    Underbody Maintenance
    Use plain water to flush dirt and debris from the vehicle's underbody. Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do this. If not removed, rust and corrosion can develop. ...

    Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
    Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the dexos specification and displaying the dexos certification mark are all that is needed for good performance and engine protection. Engine ...

    Certification Label
    Label Example A vehicle-specific Certification label, found on the vehicle center pillar (B-pillar), tells you the gross weight capacity of the vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ( ...