The reservoir is transparent, so you can check the brake fluid level from the outside. When the level drops below the MIN·mark, the control lamp lights up on the instrument panel. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically check the brake fluid level visually.
Remove the cabin air filter housing from the driver's side.
The liquid level with the lid closed should not be higher than the MAX mark and not lower than the MIN·mark. Use DOT4 specification brake fluid.
Due to the wear of the disc brake pads, the fluid level gradually drops, which is normal.
If the brake fluid level drops rapidly, this indicates a brake fluid leak.
You need to find the leak immediately. For safety reasons, the brake system should be checked in a workshop.
Checking the control lamp
Turn on the ignition, release the parking brake.
Press the contact in the reservoir cap down with your finger. Have an assistant check to see if the warning light on the instrument panel comes on. If it doesn't light up, check the wires.
Install the cabin air filter housing. Checking the thickness of the brake pads
When the front or rear brake pads of the disc brakes are worn out, a warning lamp lights up on the instrument panel. In this case, you need to replace the pads.
Mark the position of the wheel on the hub so that you can then reinstall the balanced wheel in its original position. Loosen the wheel bolts.
Raise and support the car, remove the wheels.
Disc brakes
Check Thickness (without taking into account the thickness of the metal base) from above through the hole in the caliper.
Check the thickness of the outer pad on the side. If the pad thickness approaches the wear limit, then remove the brake pads and measure the thickness with a caliper.
Wear limit for disc brake pads (front and rear) achieved when the thickness of the working layer is 2 mm.
Attention: 1 mm pad wear corresponds approximately to 1000 km for disc brakes, and even then under adverse conditions. In a normal case, the pads last much longer. With a pad thickness of 5.0 mm (without base plate) their residual resource is still at least 3000 km.
Check the caliper for brake fluid leaks. If there are leaks, replace the caliper.
Check the brake discs on both sides for gouges, deep scratches and corroded spots and replace if necessary.
Parking brake
With the rear brake discs removed, you can check the pads visually. The wear limit is reached when the thickness of the working layer of the pad at its thinnest point is 1.5 mm.
If the wear limit is reached, replace the brake pads. Be sure to replace all pads on the same axle.
Install the wheels in accordance with the marks made earlier. Do not lubricate wheel bolts. Lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel bolts crosswise to 100 Nm.
Checking the parking brake
The parking brake is located in the rear disc brakes. Since the brake pads of the parking brake wear little, it may happen that the brake drums corrode or the brake pads become dirty. Therefore, before checking the parking brake, it is recommended to apply the parking brake as follows: From a speed of approx. Maintaining the indicated speed, apply the parking brake one more click and drive for about 400 m. Release the parking brake and allow it to cool.
Raise and support the vehicle from behind.
Apply the parking brake to the fifth click. Turn the two rear wheels by hand. They should feel a slight braking effect.
Apply the parking brake 6 clicks, the rear wheels should now be impossible to turn by hand.
Lower the car.