GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Holden 🢒 2009 🢒 WM Sedan 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 Brake System Vehicle Road Test

Preliminary Inspections
  1. Visually inspect easily accessible brake system components for obvious damage and/or leaks which may indicate that the vehicle should not be driven until further inspections have been completed.
  2. Inspect the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and top up only if necessary for brake system road testing. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling .
  3. Inspect the tyre inflation pressures and adjust as necessary.
  4. Inspect the tyre tread patterns to make sure that they are the same or very similar, especially per axle.
  5. Make sure that the vehicle is not loaded unevenly prior to brake system road testing.

Road Testing Procedure

    Caution: Refer to Road Test Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
  2. Visually inspect if the brake warning indicator remains illuminated.
  3. If the brake system warning lamp remains illuminated, DO NOT proceed to test drive the vehicle until it is diagnosed and repaired. Refer to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes .
  4. Select a smooth, dry, clean and level road or large allotment that is as free of traffic and obstacles as possible for brake system low speed road testing.
  5. On a level surface, put the transmission in Park or Neutral and lightly apply the brake pedal. Observe both the pedal feel and the pedal travel.
    6. • If the brake pedal application felt spongy, or the pedal travel was greater than desired, DO NOT drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
    • If the brake pedal application did not feel spongy and the pedal travel was not greater than desired, proceed to step 6.
  6. Release and apply the brakes.
  7. While continuing to apply the brakes, shift the transmission into DRIVE or 1st, release the brakes and allow the engine to idle the vehicle away from the stopped position. Observe for a slow release of the brake system.
  8. With the aid of an assistant to observe the vehicle's performance from outside of the vehicle, drive the vehicle at a low speed and lightly apply the brakes while driving past the assistant. Have the assistant observe for brake system noise from the side of the vehicle closest to them, while you observe both the pedal effort and the pedal travel.
    9. • If the brake pedal application effort was greater than desired, or the pedal travel was greater than desired, DO NOT continue to test drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
    • If the brake pedal application effort was not greater than desired and the pedal travel was not greater than desired, proceed to step 9.
  9. Drive the vehicle in the opposite direction, at the same low speed and lightly apply the brakes while driving past the assistant. Have the assistant observe for brake system noise from the side of the vehicle closest to the assistant.
  10. Drive the vehicle at a low speed and shift the transmission into NEUTRAL without applying the brakes. Observe for a rapid deceleration in vehicle speed, indicating possible brake drag.
  11. Select a smooth, dry, clean and level road that is as free of heavy traffic as possible for brake system moderate speed road testing.
  12. Drive the vehicle at a moderate speed. Observe for a pull and/or incorrect tracking of the vehicle without the brakes applied.
  13. While continuing to drive the vehicle at a moderate speed, perform several light brake applications. Observe the pedal effort and the pedal travel, observe for brake system noise, pulsation and/or brake drag.
    14. • If the brake pedal application effort was greater than desired, or the pedal travel was greater than desired, DO NOT continue to test drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
    • If the brake pedal application effort was not greater than desired and the pedal travel was not greater than desired, proceed to step 14.
  14. While continuing to drive the vehicle at a moderate speed, perform several moderate brake applications. Observe the pedal effort and the pedal travel, observe for brake system pulsation and/or uneven braking action [dash ] either side to side, or front to rear.

    15. A small amount of vehicle front end dip is expected during a moderate brake application.

  15. If the brake pedal apply effort was greater than desired, or the pedal travel was greater than desired, DO NOT continue to test drive the vehicle until it is repaired.