It could be a wheel speed sensor, or any number of other issues, and there’s no way to really diagnose the problem without pulling the codes and digging in. When your ABS light comes on, it usually indicates that there is an issue with one of the components in the ABS system. That's more or less true of the ABS light, but it's still extremely important to pay attention to it. Image courtesy of _sarchi, via Flickr (Creative Commons 2.0)ĭo you know what to do when your ABS light comes on? A surprisingly large percentage of drivers simply ignore warning lights in their vehicles, because a warning light doesn't always translate to an immediate, catastrophic failure of the associated system. Visit your nearest Tires Plus location for an inspection and, if needed, brake repairs.The ABS light indicates some type of fault in the system, but you can't tell what until you pull the codes. Tires Plus offers free brake checks seven days a week. Now that you know how ABS works, you might recognize some common anti-lock brake problems happening in your own car. If your ABS signal (a dash light with the letters "ABS") lights up, here's a variety of factors that may be to blame: Most vehicles with ABS have a dashboard light that will alert you when the pumping function activates or if there is an issue reducing your brakes' effectiveness. What are some common problems with ABS?ĪBS is meant to enhance vehicle safety, but such braking systems are not without problems of their own. ABS helps take the guesswork out of braking in slippery conditions. If you don't pump the brakes "just right" in terms of frequency and force, your likelihood of losing traction increases. Without ABS, rapid, hard braking could cause wheel lockup and loss of steering control. As you step on the brake, the ABS does the pumping for you so you can focus on steering. In a car equipped with ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, states the NHTSA. On most paved road surfaces, ABS may stop a car more quickly than a vehicle without anti-lock brakes. In an emergency, four-wheel ABS can activate and pump the brakes faster than you typically would without it. Rear-wheel-only ABS, usually found in certain SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans, is meant to keep a vehicle from spinning out on the slick pavement rather than assisting with handling in slippery conditions. Many new cars and minivans come with four-wheel ABS, which is designed to assist with steering. There are two types of ABS: four-wheel and rear-wheel-only. An electronic control unit within the system regulates the brake fluid pressure in reaction to changing road conditions or an about-to-happen wheel lockup. Then, they quickly and repeatedly apply and release the brakes to automatically keep your tires from skidding.Īdditionally, ABS automatically adjusts the brake fluid pressure in each wheel to maintain ideal brake performance-helping prevent them from locking up, says the NHTSA. Wheel sensors recognize when your car’s tires begin locking up. However, on soft surfaces like gravel or unpacked snow, ABS could actually increase stopping distances. The vibration comes from the brakes pulsing numerous times per second.ĪBS may help decrease stopping distances on slippery and dry roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When ABS does kick in, it “vibrates and groans,” as the M圜arDoesWhat education campaign describes it. If you rarely drive in snow or ice, you won’t know what to expect when ABS is activated. And by preventing a skid, your ABS also helps prevent uneven tire wear. It does this by helping stop the wheels from locking up and skidding. What do anti-lock brakes do?ĪBS helps you steer your car in emergencies and slippery conditions by restoring traction to your tires. Here, we’re going to steer you toward information about what anti-lock brakes do, how ABS works, how ABS differs from non-ABS brakes, and what some common anti-lock brake problems are. Depending on when your car was manufactured, you might have spent the last few years driving with ABS without knowing what it is. Federal law requires all cars made after 2013 to be equipped with an anti-lock brake system, or ABS.
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