Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Principles of Operation
Hydraulic Brake System
Applying the brake pedal uses lever action to push a rod into the brake booster, which through the use of vacuum, boosts the force of the rod and then transmits this force into the master cylinder. This produces hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. The hydraulic pressure is transmitted by brake fluid through the brake tubes to the ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU), which then distributes that pressure to the individual brake calipers. The brake calipers use hydraulic pressure to apply the pads. The application of the brake pads will cause the rotation of the wheels to slow or stop depending on how much brake pressure is applied. The parking brakes preform the same function except that they are mechanically actuated by a cable that connects only to the rear brakes.
Red Brake Warning Indicator
The red brake warning indicator alerts the driver to certain conditions that exist in the brake system. The instrument cluster performs a bulb check when the ignition key is turned to the RUN position. The conditions that cause the indicator to illuminate are low brake fluid level, the parking brake is applied or there is a fault in the ABS (if the yellow ABS warning indicator is also illuminated).
Adjustable Pedals
The brake and accelerator pedals can be adjusted for a more comfortable driving position. The adjustable pedals feature is operational with the ignition switch in the RUN, ACC or OFF position. Adjustable pedals may be connected to the driver memory system, if equipped, or they may be a stand alone system.
Non-Memory Adjustable Pedals
The brake and accelerator pedals can be adjusted for a more comfortable driving position. The adjustable pedals feature is operational with the ignition switch in the RUN, ACC or OFF position. The pedals are controlled directly by the adjustable pedal switch and motor. The motor is attached to the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal is connected to the motor via a cable. The motor is connected to the brake pedal and accelerator pedal and both move together as an assembly. The pedals are adjusted by pressing the adjustable pedal switch in either the forward or rearward position. Pressing the switch powers the adjustable pedal motor which then causes the pedals to move either toward the driver or away from the driver.
Memory Adjustable Pedals
For memory adjustable pedals, the pedals can be adjusted in 1 of 3 ways:
- By pressing the adjustable pedal switch.
- By pressing the memory position 1 or memory position 2 switch.
- By using the remote transmitter.
For memory adjustable pedals, the pedals are controlled by the driver seat module (DSM). The DSM receives input from 1 of the 3 sources and then powers the adjustable pedal motor in the desired direction. The DSM will also control the driver seat position and the side-view mirror positions.
For information on setting and recalling a memory pedal position, refer to Memory Position Programming in SEATING article.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.