All You Need to Know About Antilock Brakes

You have to drive in a snowstorm, or maybe on a rain-slick highway. The car in front of you suddenly slows down. What do you do? If your car is equipped with antilock brakes, the answer is simple—just step on the brake and steer away from danger!

 

Originally conceived in 1929, antilock braking systems are now available on just about every new car sold. In fact, the National Transit Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that they be required on all new cars and trucks, possibly as soon as the 2018 model year.  

 

Our Yardley, PA auto mechanic shop is equipped to handle all of your braking system maintenance and repair. Read on to learn more.

 

What Are Antilock Brakes?

 

Antilock brakes consist of a computer-controlled system that takes over braking in the event of wheel skid. They work by rapidly pulsing the brake at each individual wheel, preventing wheel skid.

 

Major components include wheel speed sensors, a hydraulic pump and valve system, and a controller to make braking decisions.  

 

The system uses a yellow warning light on the dashboard, often in the shape of a tire tread with a wavy line under it. When you start your, car the system runs a self-test, and if that’s successful, the yellow warning light goes out and you can expect the system to function normally.

 

Why Do I Need Them?

 

Because they make driving safer. Say you’re heading down the highway at 65 MPH on a rainy day. You’re chugging along, and all of a sudden there’s an accident just ahead. You have to slam the brakes hard so you don’t rear end the cars in front of you and cause a pile up. Without an ABS system, your brakes could easily lock, causing your car to skid uncontrollably. Talk about a dangerous situation…

 

Other Things to Know About Driving an ABS-Equipped Vehicle

 

• Go out and practice! Find an empty parking lot and try to skid, you’ll find that it’s impossible!
• The system only works if you are pressing the brake pedal hard enough to cause the wheels to skid. Go ahead, jam on the brakes, use steady pressure, don’t pump.
• When the system is activated you will feel a vibration in the brake pedal and you may hear a buzzing noise. This is the system working, and completely normal.
• In most cases the, antilock system becomes operational when the car reaches 10 MPH.
• When the yellow dash light remains illuminated, your antilock system is not functioning and requires service; perhaps it’s time to take it to a great repair shop like Big Oak Citgo in Yardley, PA…

Overall, if your car is equipped with ABS, they’ll only help keep you safer, provided you use them appropriately. However, it’s important to make sure that they’re in working order. To have your brakes repaired or inspected, please schedule an appointment by touching base with our Yardley, PA car repair shop. See you soon!