Land Rover Brake System Guide

Brakes - Important Information

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving the vehicle. Do not coast with the engine switched off. The engine must be running to ensure effective operation of the brake booster. Brakes will still operate with the engine switched off, but applying the brake pedal will require significantly more effort.

If the red brake system warning light illuminates, stop the vehicle as soon as possible, taking precautions, and seek qualified assistance. Do not place unauthorized floor mats or any objects that could impede the movement of the brake pedal. This will restrict pedal travel and reduce braking efficiency. Heavy rain or water obstacles may negatively affect brake performance. In such conditions, it is recommended to intermittently apply the brake pedal with light pressure to dry the brakes.

Brake Warning Light (ABS)

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

The ABS system cannot shorten the physically possible minimum braking distance of the vehicle, effectively brake during very high-speed cornering, or eliminate the risk of aquaplaning. Avoid risks that could endanger yourself, passengers, or other road users. The driver is obliged to operate the vehicle in compliance with safety regulations, considering the road surface, weather conditions, and traffic situation.

Braking on Steep Slopes

If the vehicle is stationary on a steep, slippery slope, it may start to move even with the brakes applied. This occurs because when the vehicle's wheels lock up, the ABS is unable to detect the vehicle's movement due to the lack of wheel rotation. To counteract this, briefly release the brake pedal to allow the wheels to rotate. Then, reapply the brake pedal to allow ABS to regain control.

Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)

If the driver applies the brake pedal sharply, the EBA system automatically increases braking force to ensure the fastest possible vehicle stop. If the driver applies the brake pedal slowly, but driving conditions cause ABS to engage on the front wheels, the EBA system increases braking force to engage ABS on the rear wheels. The EBA system ceases to operate as soon as the brake pedal is released.

The amber brake warning light illuminates briefly when the ignition is switched on. A malfunction in the EBA system is indicated by the continuous illumination of the amber warning light and the display of a corresponding warning message. Stop the vehicle cautiously in a safe location and seek qualified assistance.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

The EBD system manages the distribution of braking force applied to the front and rear wheels, ensuring maximum braking efficiency. If the vehicle is unloaded (e.g., only the driver is present), the EBD system reduces the braking force applied to the rear wheels. If the vehicle is heavily loaded, the EBD system increases the braking force applied to the rear wheels.

The red brake warning light illuminates briefly when the ignition is switched on. A malfunction in the EBD system is indicated by the continuous illumination of the red warning light and the display of a corresponding warning message. Stop the vehicle cautiously in a safe location and seek qualified assistance.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)

The parking brake acts on the rear wheels. Therefore, the reliability of parking depends on the firmness and stability of the surface. If the rear wheels are submerged in mud or water, do not rely on the effective operation of the parking brake.

Note: After driving in challenging off-road conditions (such as marshland, deep mud, etc.), additional maintenance and adjustment of the parking brake are required. Contact your dealer or an authorized Land Rover workshop.

Manual EPB Operation

To engage the parking brake:

1. To engage the parking brake with the ignition on or off while the vehicle is stationary, pull the lever upwards and then release it.

The parking brake warning light will remain illuminated continuously if the ignition is on, and will switch off after ten seconds if the ignition is off. Ensure the warning light remains continuously illuminated (not flashing): this indicates the brake is correctly engaged.

If you pull the parking brake lever while the vehicle is moving at less than 3 km/h (2 mph), it will result in a sudden stop. The stop lights will not illuminate. If a malfunction is detected, the corresponding warning light will flash, and the message 'PARKBRAKE' (PARKING BRAKE) will appear on the information display.

To disengage the parking brake:

1. To disengage the parking brake with the ignition on, press the brake pedal, then push the EPB lever down. The parking brake warning light will switch off.

Driving with the parking brake engaged or repeatedly using the parking brake for braking may cause significant damage to the brake system. In an emergency situation, when the vehicle is moving at speeds above 3 km/h (2 mph), engaging and holding the EPB lever in this position will gradually reduce speed. The parking brake warning light will illuminate, an audible warning will sound, and the message 'PARKBRAKE' (PARKING BRAKE) will appear on the information display. The emergency mode will cease if the EPB lever is released or pressed.

Automatic EPB Operation

The EPB engages automatically when the ignition is switched off and the vehicle speed drops below 3 km/h (2 mph). To prevent automatic engagement, stop the vehicle, press and hold the EPB switch in the disengaged position. Within five seconds, switch off the ignition and hold the EPB switch for an additional two seconds.

On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the EPB engages automatically when the selector is moved to 'P'. In case of a malfunction, the message 'PARKBRAKE' (PARKING BRAKE) will appear on the information display.

EPB Disengagement - Manual Transmission

If the EPB is engaged while the vehicle is stationary with the ignition on, pressing the accelerator pedal or disengaging the clutch will automatically disengage the EPB and allow the vehicle to move off. Automatic disengagement can occur in first, second, and reverse gears.

For the automatic disengagement function to work, the driver's door must be closed, or the driver's seatbelt must be fastened.

To delay automatic disengagement, keep the EPB lever in the engaged position and release it at the desired moment. The parking brake system will gradually reduce braking force, allowing for a smooth start.

EPB Disengagement - Automatic Transmission

If the EPB is engaged while the vehicle is stationary with the ignition on and the selector is in the 'D' or 'R' position, pressing the accelerator pedal will automatically disengage the EPB and allow the vehicle to move off. The parking brake automatically disengages when the rotary selector is moved out of the 'P' position.

For the automatic disengagement function to work, the brake pedal must be pressed, the driver's door must be closed, or the driver's seatbelt must be fastened.

To delay automatic disengagement, keep the EPB lever in the engaged position and release it at the desired moment. The parking brake system will gradually reduce braking force, allowing for a smooth start.

When starting a journey, the EPB disengagement time may increase when shifting from P or N. This is because it takes slightly longer to engage the required gear.

EPB Warning Indicators

If the EPB system detects a malfunction, the amber brake warning light will illuminate, and a corresponding message will appear on the information display.

If a malfunction is detected while the EPB system is operating, the red brake warning light will flash, and the message 'PARKBRAKE FAULT' (PARKING BRAKE FAULT) will appear on the information display.

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