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Your Driving and the Road
anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
'CONT.)
'his light on the instrument panel will go
In when you start your vehicle.
Nhen you start your vehicle, or when
yo^
begin to drive away, you may hear a
nomentary motor or clicking noise. And
'ou may even notice that your brake
edal moves a little while this is going on
rhis is the ABS system testing itself. If
here's a problem with the anti-lock brakc
ystem, the anti-lock brake system
Yarning light will stay on or flash.
iee "Anti-lock Brake System Warning
ight" in the Index.
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the
road is wet. You're driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of
you.
You slam on the brakes. Here's what
happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front
wheel and at the rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the
brake pressure faster than any driver
could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the
time you need to get your foot up to the
brake pedal. If you get too close to the
vehicle in front of you, you won't have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
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