Chevrolet Cruze Owners Manual: Brakes
This vehicle has front disc brakes and could have rear drum brakes or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying the brake pedal firmly.
WARNING
The brake wear warning sound means that soon the brakes will not work well. That could lead to a crash. When the brake wear warning sound is heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque specifications in Capacities and Specifications
If the vehicle has rear drum brakes, they do not have wear indicators, but if a rear brake rubbing noise is heard, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately. Rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
Drum brakes have an inspection hole to inspect lining wear during scheduled maintenance. When the front brake pads are replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts. When parts of the braking system are replaced, be sure to get new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might not work properly. For example, installing disc brake pads that are wrong for the vehicle, can change the balance between the front and rear brakes — for the worse. The braking performance expected can change in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake parts are installed
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is needed, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle in an area where the temperature may fall below
freezi ...
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go
dow ...
Other materials:
Variable Effort Steering System Description and Operation
The Variable Effort Steering (VES) system or MAGNASTEER® varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle as vehicle speed
changes. At low speeds, the system provides minimal steering effort for easy
turning and parking maneuvers. Steering effort is increased
at higher speeds to provi ...
Installation Procedure
Cut the rocker outer panel in corresponding locations to fit the
remaining original panel. The sectioning joint should be trimmed to
allow a gap of one-and-one-half-times the metal thickness at the sectioning
joint.
Create a 50 mm (2 in) backing plate from the unused portion of the ...
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through
large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water.
WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as wel ...
