Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light stays on. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on page
5-16.
If driving safely on a wet road and it becomes necessary to slam on the brakes and continue braking to avoid a sudden obstacle, a computer senses the wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as required, faster than any driver could. This can help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let ABS work. You may hear the ABS pump or motor operating and feel the brake pedal pulsate. This is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than even the very best braking.
Brakes
...
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and pull up on the parking
brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
See Brake System Warning Light o ...
Other materials:
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, and the engine is not running, as a check to show
it is working.
It should go out when the engine is started. If it stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the electrical charging system. Have it checked ...
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different positions.
The uplevel key must be fully extended to start the vehicle.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the regular brake
pedal applied.
1 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/ OFF): When the vehicle is stopped, turn the ignition
sw ...
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating
less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32° F) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with sal ...
