brakes VOLKSWAGEN CC 2008 Owners Manual

WARNING
After driving through water, mud, sludge, etc., the brakes react
slower and need longer stopping distances.
Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a
few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endan-
ger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
Avoid abrupt or sudden braking maneuvers immediately after
driving through water.
NOTICE
Vehicle components such as the engine, transmission, sus-
pension or electrical system may be severely damaged by driv-
ing through water.
Never drive through salt water. Salt causes vehicle corrosion.
Thoroughly rinse with fresh water all vehicle parts that were ex-
posed to salt water.

Engine Engine
ID
code
Trailer with
brakes
Trailer
without
brakes
Trailer
hitch
tongue
weight
All gasoline
engines
all 2000 lbs
(907 kg)
1650 lbs
(748 kg)
200 lbs
(91 kg)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
must not be exceeded, even with a trailer. These ratings are listed on
the safety compliance label on the driver door jamb ⇒ page 55, Im-
portant vehicle labels. When a trailer is towed, the weight of the ball
mount and the tongue weight of the trailer are added to the vehicle
weight ⇒  Determining the correct load limit.
The trailer weight ratings given above are valid only up to altitudes of
3000 ft (1000 m) above sea level. The maximum permissible com-
bined towing weight must be reduced by about 10% for every 3000 ft
(1000 m), or portion thereof, of additional altitude.
WARNING
Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight
can cause accidents and serious personal injury.
Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined
front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).
NOTICE
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle
damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warran-
ty.

Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may
be replaced) of automatic transmission, electro-mechanical power
steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Aspect ratio
The ratio of sidewall height to tire width, expressed as a percentage.
A number of 70 (0.7:1 or 70%) or lower indicates a low-profile tire with
a shorter sidewall for improved steering response and better overall
handling on dry pavement.
Bead
The part of a tire made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply
cords, with the shape and structure to ensure proper fit to the wheel
rim.
Bead separation
A breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.
Carcass
The tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when in-
flated, bears the load.
Chunking
The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.
Cord
The strands of material forming the plies in the tire.
Cord separation
The parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.
Cracking
Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extend-
ing to cord material.
Cold tire inflation pressure
The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire
of a specified size that has not been driven for more than a couple of

Normal occupant weight
Means 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the number of occupants seated
in the vehicle up to the total seating capacity of your vehicle.
Occupant distribution
The placement of passengers in a vehicle.
Outer diameter
The diameter of a new, properly inflated tire.
Overall width
Total width measured at the exterior sidewalls of an inflated tire, in-
cluding the additional width of labeling, decorations, or protective
bands or ribs.
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger
vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
of 10,000 pounds or less.
Ply
A layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.
Ply separation
A parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies.
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric, and steel or
other materials, that, when mounted on an automotive wheel, pro-
vides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load.
Production options weight
The combined weight of installed regular production options weighing
over 5 lbs (2.3 kg) more than the standard items they replace, and not
previously considered as curb weight or accessory weight. These
include, for example, heavy-duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,
heavy-duty battery, and special trim.
Radial ply tires
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are
laid at substantially 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash
or other accident, serious personal injury, and even death.
Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to car-
ry will prevent the vehicle from handling properly and increase
the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be
able to stop the vehicle in a safe distance.
Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail sudden-
ly, including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of
control and a crash.
Always make sure that the total load being transported – in-
cluding the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of a
loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the ve-
hicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Determining the correct load limit

WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of traction, es-
pecially on slippery roads, resulting in a loss of vehicle control,
collisions, and serious personal injury.
Only use the kick-down feature or fast acceleration if visibil-
ity, weather, road, and traffic conditions permit and other driv-
ers will not be endangered by your driving and the vehicle's ac-
celeration.
WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and even to fail
leading to collisions and serious personal injury.
Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal too often or
too long.
Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking perfor-
mance, increase stopping distance, and can cause complete
brake system failure.
NOTICE
Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pe-
dal when you do not want to brake. This will make the brakes
wear faster.
Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or
steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake
system could overheat and even fail. Only use the brakes when
you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

Lights
up
Possible cause or
meaning ⇒  Proper response
Together with ABS indica-
tor light J or !"3: ABS fail-
ure.
See an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an au-
thorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
The vehicle brakes will work
without ABS.
"2!+%
7%!2
Brake pads worn.
If you believe that it is safe to
do so, immediately take the
vehicle to an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or author-
ized Volkswagen Service Fa-
cility. Check, and if necessary
replace, all brake pads.
I

WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and serious per-
sonal injury.
If the brake warning light "2!+% or H does not go out, or
comes on when driving, either the brake fluid level in the reser-
voir is too low or there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the
vehicle as soon as you can do so safely and get expert assis-
tance ⇒  Brake fluid.
If the brake warning light "2!+% or H comes on at the same
time as the ABS warning light !"3 or J, the ABS may not be
working properly. This could cause the rear wheels to lock up
relatively quickly during braking. Rear wheel brake lock-up can
cause loss of vehicle control.
If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, drive slowly and
very carefully to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, au-
thorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified work-
shop and have the brake system inspected. Avoid sudden hard
braking and steering.
If the ABS indicator light !"3 or J does not go out, or if it
comes on while driving, the ABS system is not working proper-
ly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with the standard
brakes (without ABS). You will not have the protection ABS
provides. Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an au-
thorized Volkswagen Service Facility as soon as possible.
If the symbol "2!+% 7%!2 or I lights up in the instrument clus-
ter display, whether alone or together with a text message, im-
mediately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or author-
ized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the brake pads
checked and, if necessary, replaced.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in
vehicle damage.

Facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the
curb.
Facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the
curb.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very
hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite flam-
mable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel,
etc.
NOTICE
Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barri-
ers or high curbs. These vary in height and could damage your
bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a barrier
or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a
parking spot. To help prevent damage, stop before the tires of
your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or
down steep ramps or over curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the
vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as bumper
covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and ex-
haust systems).
About the brakes

following other vehicles too closely) – especially during the break-in
period.
Brake pad wear depends mostly on operating conditions and the
way the vehicle is driven. If you do a lot of city and short-distance
driving and/or have a sporty driving style, you should have the brake
pads checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility more often than the regular service inter-
vals.
Wet brakes (for example, after driving through water or washing the
vehicle or after heavy rainfall) will not brake as well. Stopping dis-
tances will be longer when brake discs are wet or, in winter, even icy.
Wet or icy brakes must be dried as soon as possible by carefully ap-
plying the brakes a couple of times while traveling at a relatively high
speed. Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endan-
ger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brakes coated with road salt also react slower and need longer
stopping distances. If there is salt on the roads and you are not brak-
ing regularly, brake carefully and gently from time to time to remove
any salt coating from the brake discs and pads ⇒ .
Brake disc corrosion (rust) and dirt buildup on the brake pads are
more likely to occur if the vehicle is not driven much or is driven only
for short distances with little braking. If the brakes have not been
used and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake discs and
pads once in a while by carefully braking a couple of times while driv-
ing at relatively high speed to help clean the brake discs and pads.
Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endanger your-
self or others ⇒ .
Brake system malfunction
If you brake and find that the vehicle doesn't brake nearly as well as it
used to (sudden increase in stopping distance), a brake circuit may
have failed. The brake warning light H or "2!+% will come on and a
message may appear in the instrument cluster display. If you believe
the vehicle is safe to drive, immediately take it to the nearest author-
ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow for the longer stopping
distance, and be ready to push longer and harder on the brake pedal
to slow the vehicle down.