206 DRIVING AND OPERATINGThe vehicle has an Electric ParkingBrake (EPB). The EPB can always beactivated, even if the ignition is off. Toprevent draining the battery, avoidrepeated cycles of the EPB systemwhen the engine is not running.The system has a red handbrakestatus light and an amber handbrakewarning light. See Electric ParkingBrake Light 0 128 and Service ElectricParking Brake Light 0 129. There arealso handbrake-related DriverInformation Centre (DIC) messages.See Brake System Messages 0 141. Incase of insufficient electrical power,the EPB cannot be applied or released.Before leaving the vehicle, check thered handbrake status light to ensurethat the handbrake is applied.EPB ApplyTo apply the EPB:1. Be sure the vehicle is at acomplete stop.2. Press the EPB switchmomentarily.The red handbrake status light willflash and then stay on once the EPB isfully applied. If the red handbrakestatus light flashes continuously, thenthe EPB is only partially applied orthere is a problem with the EPB.A DIC message will display. Releasethe EPB and try to apply it again.If the light does not come on, or keepsflashing, have the vehicle serviced. Donot drive the vehicle if the redhandbrake status light is flashing. Seeyour dealer. See Electric Parking BrakeLight 0 128.If the amber parking brake warninglight is on, press the EPB switch andhold it. Continue to hold the switchuntil the red handbrake status lightremains on. If the amber handbrakewarning light remains on, see yourdealer.If the EPB is applied while the vehicleis moving, the vehicle will decelerateas long as the switch is pressed. If theswitch is pressed until the vehiclecomes to a stop, the EPB will remainapplied.The vehicle may automatically applythe EPB in some situations when thevehicle is not moving. This is normal,and is done to periodically check thecorrect operation of the EPB system.If the EPB fails to apply, block the rearwheels to prevent vehicle movement.EPB ReleaseTo release the EPB:1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN mode.2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.3. Push down momentarily on theEPB switch.The EPB is released when the redhandbrake status light is off.If the amber handbrake warning lightis on, release the EPB by pushingdown on the EPB switch and holdingit down. Continue to hold the switchuntil the red handbrake status light isoff. If either light stays on after releaseis attempted, see your dealer.
