| Description and Operation NOTE:Brake friction materials inherently generate noise and heat in order to dissipate energy. As a result, occasional squeal is possible. This condition may be amplified by severe operating conditions, such as cold, heat, rain, snow, salt and mud. The braking system is of a diagonally split, dual circuit design featuring front and rear disc brakes. Vehicles with steel wheels are equipped with standard brake discs and vehicles with alloy wheels are equipped with anti-corrosion coated brake discs. The hydraulic system has separate circuits for each pair of diagonally opposed wheels (left front, right rear and right front, left rear). The front brake caliper is of a single sliding piston design which makes sure that equal effort is applied through both brake pads. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is controlled by the hydraulic control unit (HCU), incorporated within the hydraulic system, and only operates when the wheel speed sensors detect the onset of wheel lock up. The parking brake control operates the rear brakes through a cable system. The parking brake cable features either manual adjustment (vehicles built from 08/2002) or automatic adjustment using a ratchet and pawl mechanism on the parking brake control assembly. The brake master cylinder is of a tandem design and is linked to a brake booster which reduces the brake pedal effort. The tandem design will make sure that in the event of one brake circuit failing the other will remain fully operational. The brake master cylinder and brake booster are located on the left-hand side of the engine compartment. On right-hand drive vehicles they are connected to the brake pedal via a brake pedal cross shaft. On left-hand drive vehicles the brake booster actuating rod is connected directly to the brake pedal. The brake booster vacuum on vehicles with diesel engine is provide by a camshaft driven vacuum pump. The mechanical emergency brake assist (EBA) system incorporates a hydraulic mechanism in the brake master cylinder allowing controlled additional assistance to brake pedal effort in emergency braking situations. This allows maximum braking capability with a reduced brake pedal effort during critical situations. On vehicles built from 02/2003 with stability assist, the mechanical EBA has been replaced with an electronic EBA function. The EBA function is an integral part of the stability assist module incorporates and provides improved emergency brake assistance. For additional information, refer to Section 206-09A Anti-Lock Control / 206-09B Anti-Lock Control - Traction Control / 206-09C Anti-Lock Control - Stability Assist. | 
