Description & Operation

Hydraulically operated brake system uses a tandem master cylinder, with vacuum-assisted power brake booster and single-piston, sliding caliper front disc brakes. All models have self-adjusting rear drum brakes and cable actuated rear parking brakes. ABS is optional on all models.

The master cylinder is a tandem master cylinder. Brake pipes are connected to the master cylinder and they make two independent circuits. On Aerio, Esteem and Swift, one circuit connects front right & rear left brakes and the other connects front left & rear right brakes. On Grand Vitara, Vitara and XL-7, one circuit connects to front brakes, the other connects to rear brakes. On all models, the disc brake type is used for the front wheel brake and a drum brake type (leading/trailing shoes) for the rear brake.

On Grand Vitara, Vitara and XL-7 without ABS, a Load Sensing Proportioning Valve (LSPV) controls hydraulic pressure applied to rear brakes according to vehicle load, and will allow direct pressure to rear brakes should any failure occur in the hydraulic circuit of front brakes (fail-safe function). On Grand Vitara, Vitara and XL-7 with ABS and all other models, a proportioning valve is connected between master cylinder and the brakes.