How to Adjust ABS Brakes in a Jetta

The ABS brakes in a Jetta are self-adjusting for the most part. However, part of the adjustment requires that you go through a manual process so that the brakes are adjusted properly. The brake pad material must be properly bed into the brake rotor surface. If the brakes are not adjusted properly, the pad material will not sit flush against the rotor surface, it may "bite" into the surface of the rotor, or hot spots may develop on the rotor surface, causing uneven rotor and pad wear.

Instructions

1

Go to an open road and bring the Jetta up to 40 miles per hour.

2

Press on the brakes with firm, but not hard, pressure until the Jetta slows to 10 miles per hour. Do not stop.

3

Speed back up to 40 miles per hour and repeat the braking process to 10 miles per hour. Repeat this several times, and make sure that you do not stop between braking cycles.

4

Park the Jetta and let the car cool off for 20 minutes. The brakes should be properly adjusted, your ABS should have set the ABS parameters it needs, and the pads should be properly bed into the rotor surface.