Express Car Care of Denver

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Smart Car Care for Denver Drivers: Anti-lock Brakes

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Smart Car Care for Denver Drivers: Antilock BrakesDenver drivers count on their brakes to safely slow down and stop their vehicles.  You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid.  When your wheels are locked up, you are just sliding all over the road.  And if the road is wet, slick or covered with gravel–you can really get out of control.  Steering is next to impossible.  That is why anti-lock brake systems (ABS) were invented: to help you maintain important control in extreme stopping conditions on Colorado roads.

As mentioned, when wheels lock up, this diminishes your control.  Anti-lock brake systems keep your brakes from locking – helping you stop while still maintaining your ability to steer.  Each wheel equipped with ABS, have sensors on them that monitor wheel spin and compare it with vehicle speed sensors.  When Denver drivers are pressing on the brakes, still traveling forward, but the wheels are not turning….the anti-lock brake system quickly steps in and modulates the brakes.

The ABS quickly “pumps” the brakes, not allowing the wheels to lock-up while still applying braking pressure.  This is all done automatically without any intervention on your part.  You will feel a pulsation through the brake pedal and will hear a clunking as the brakes are rapidly being applied and let off over and over again.  The first time this happens to you, you may be surprised and think something is wrong.  There isn’t, so just keep your foot on the brake and allow the ABS to do its thing.  In fact, remember the essential three S’s of anti-lock brakes:  Stomp, Stay and Steer.  Stomp on the brakes, keep the pedal down, and steer as required.

When you first start your vehicle, the ABS does a quick self-check to make sure everything is OK.  The ABS warning light will briefly illuminate with all of the other warning lights on your dashboard and then go out.  If the system detects a fault, the ABS light will come on and stay on.  Denver auto owners should definitely take their vehicle in to Express Care Care for a check if the critical ABS warning light is on.

Proper brake system service is the best way to protect your anti-lock brake system.  Replacing brake fluid that is depleted and/or contaminated will help preserve proper ABS operation and protect it against detrimental corrosion.  Denver motorists can communicate with their helpful Express Car Care service specialist to see if it’s time for an automotive analysis of their essential braking system.

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Antilock Brake Systems

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It wasn’t until we almost had a major accident on a recent trip in the mountains that I realized the importance of antilock brake systems.  We were on our way home from a day of skiing.  We were moving along at a pretty good speed, considering we were on I-70 at the same time as thousands of other cars, when almost instantly the car in front of us stopped.  If we didn’t  have antilock brakes (ABS) we would have had one big mess!

This is how antilock brake systems work.  ABS works with your regular braking system by automatically pumping them.  In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver has to manually pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up.  When your wheels lock up on wet and slippery roads or during a panic stop, (like ours) you may lose traction and control, causing your vehicle to spin.  Antilock brakes keep your wheels from locking up, so your car maintains directional control and you can steer around hazards, if you can’t make a complete stop in time.  If your vehicle has ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety.  An ABS automatically changes the brake fluid pressure at each wheel to maintain optimum brake performance.  There is an electronic control unit that regulates the brake fluid pressure in response to the changing road conditions or an impending wheel lockup.

There is more than one kind of antilock brake system.  Four-wheel systems, including those found on cars and minivans, are designed to keep all four wheels from locking up.  Rear-wheel only systems, found on some pickups, vans and SUV’s, keep the vehicle from spinning out of control, but the front wheels may lock up, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Some of you may be asking if vehicles with ABS stop more quickly than those without.  Perhaps, but the main purpose  the Antilock brake system was designed for is to help you maintain control of the vehicle during emergency braking situations,  not necessarily make the car stop more quickly.  ABS may shorten stopping distances on wet or slippery roads and most systems may shorten stopping distances on dry roads.  On very soft surfaces, like gravel or unpacked snow, ABS may actually lengthen stopping distances.  In wet or icy conditions, you should still keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you and drive carefully keeping the road conditions in mind.

To find out whether your car has an antilock brake system and what type, check your owner’s manual.  You can also check your instrument panel for a yellow ABS indicator light that appears after you turn on the ignition.   For more information about driver’s safety call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9153

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

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