Understanding Your Vehicle's Braking System

Braking System Principles

Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. Avoid coasting with the engine switched off, as the engine must be running for effective auxiliary braking. While the brakes function with the engine off, significantly more pedal effort is required.

Brake System Warning Light ?: If the red brake system warning light illuminates, stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so, exercise caution, and seek qualified assistance.

Pedal Area Safety: Do not place unauthorized mats or any objects under the brake pedal that could impede its movement. This can restrict pedal travel and reduce braking efficiency.

Driving in Wet Conditions: Heavy rain or water can negatively affect brake performance. To dry the brakes, it is recommended to intermittently apply the brake pedal with light pressure.

ABS Malfunction Indicator

The ABS indicator light illuminates briefly when the ignition is turned on. If this amber indicator illuminates while driving (accompanied by a warning message), drive with extreme caution, avoid sudden braking if possible, and seek qualified assistance as soon as possible.

Steep Slopes

On a steep, slippery slope, the vehicle may start to move even with the brakes applied. This occurs because ABS cannot detect vehicle movement when the wheels are not rotating. To counteract this, briefly disengage the brakes to allow the wheels to rotate, then re-engage the brakes to activate ABS.

Brake Assist (EBA)

If the driver applies the brake pedal sharply, the EBA system automatically maximizes brake force for a rapid stop. If the driver applies the brake pedal gently, but conditions require ABS on the front wheels, EBA will increase brake force to engage ABS on the rear wheels. EBA deactivates when the brake pedal is released.

The brake warning light (amber) illuminates briefly upon ignition. A constant amber light and a corresponding warning message indicate an EBA system malfunction. Stop the vehicle safely and seek qualified assistance.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

EBD manages the distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels for optimal braking efficiency. If the vehicle is lightly loaded (e.g., only the driver), EBD reduces braking force on the rear wheels. With a heavily loaded vehicle, EBD increases rear-wheel braking force.

The brake warning light (red) illuminates briefly upon ignition. A constant red light and a corresponding warning message indicate an EBD system malfunction. Stop the vehicle safely and seek qualified assistance.

Electric Parking Brake (EPB)

The parking brake engages the rear wheels. Parking security depends on the firmness and stability of the surface. Do not rely on the parking brake's effectiveness if the rear wheels are in liquid mud or water.

Note: After driving in challenging off-road conditions (e.g., marshland, deep mud), additional service and adjustment of the parking brake may be required. Consult your Land Rover dealer or technical center.

Manual EPB Engagement

With the vehicle stationary, pull the lever upwards (as indicated by the arrow) and release it. The parking brake indicator light will illuminate. Ensure the indicator light is constantly illuminated (not flashing) to confirm correct engagement.

Pulling the parking brake lever while the vehicle is moving at less than 3 km/h (2 mph) will result in a sudden stop. The stop lights will not activate.

Automatic EPB Engagement

The EPB engages automatically when the ignition is switched off and the vehicle speed drops below 3 km/h (2 mph). This function operates on vehicles with automatic transmissions, provided the selector is not in the 'P' (Park) position.

To prevent automatic engagement, stop the vehicle, press and hold the EPB deactivation switch, switch off the ignition, and continue holding the switch for two seconds.

Dynamic EPB Operation

Driving with the parking brake engaged or repeatedly using it for braking can cause significant damage to the braking system. In an emergency while driving above 3 km/h (2 mph), pulling and holding the EPB lever will gradually reduce speed. The brake warning light will illuminate, an audible alert will sound, and the information panel will display "CAUTION! PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED." The stop lights will activate.

Manual EPB Disengagement

With the ignition on, press the brake pedal and push the EPB lever down. The electronic parking brake will disengage.

Automatic EPB Disengagement (Manual Transmission)

If the vehicle is stationary with the EPB engaged, pressing the accelerator pedal and releasing the clutch will disengage the EPB and allow the vehicle to move.

Automatic disengagement occurs in first, second, and reverse gears in the high range, and first, second, third, and reverse gears in the low range.

To delay automatic disengagement, keep the EPB lever engaged and release it when desired. The parking brake will gradually reduce force, allowing for a smooth start. If the system detects vehicle movement after engaging a gear due to reduced force, full parking brake force will be reapplied.

To cancel the EPB force reduction function, manually engage the parking brake after selecting a gear.

If a malfunction occurs, the information panel will display "AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGEMENT UNAVAILABLE."

Automatic EPB Disengagement (Automatic Transmission)

If the vehicle is stationary with the EPB engaged, pressing the accelerator pedal with the gear selector in 'D' (Drive) or 'R' (Reverse) will disengage the EPB and allow the vehicle to move.

Note: Automatic EPB disengagement is only possible if the driver's door is closed and the driver's seatbelt is fastened.

To delay automatic disengagement, keep the EPB lever engaged and release it when desired. The parking brake will gradually reduce force, allowing for a smooth start. If the system detects vehicle movement after engaging a gear due to reduced force, full parking brake force will be reapplied.

To cancel the EPB force reduction function, manually engage the parking brake after selecting a gear.

When starting off, the EPB disengagement time may increase when shifting from 'P' (Park) or 'N' (Neutral), allowing more time for gear engagement.

EPB Indicators

If the system detects an EPB fault, an amber indicator will illuminate, and a message will appear on the information panel.

If a fault is detected while the EPB is active, the red parking brake indicator will flash, and the information panel will display "PARKING BRAKE FAULT."

Note: The red brake system indicator will remain illuminated for at least ten seconds after the ignition is switched off.