If you drive a more modern vehicle, then there's a high chance it's equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). The ABS is implemented to help you steer better and avoid skidding whenever you brake. While ABS has been around since the 80s, it wasn't a standard on most vehicles until now. Thankfully, we have ABS to keep us all safer!
Because ABS prevents your wheels from gliding, you can steer your vehicle when you're braking or not. ABS comes equipped with various sensors that track wheel speed to determine if any of the wheels are tempted to lock up. If a wheel does stiffen up, a group of hydraulic valves lessens how much brake force is applied to said wheel.
What Happens if Your ABS Has a Problem?
First off, you will be signaled with the problem on your dashboard. An ABS light will pop up on your dash. The good news is that your vehicle won't suddenly lose its braking abilities. The bad news is you won't have that extra assistance to keep you from skidding when you have to hard brake. If you try to brake too close to another object or car, you may run the risk of hitting it, so be sure to account for a longer stopping distance.
Sometimes, simply restarting your car will clear the ABS warning light, similar to a system reboot. If the light stays on, then the problem is most likely serious and needs fixing. If that is the scenario, then you should take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic right away.
Our expert team at Small World Auto can easily take care of this problem because we use only the most high-tech equipment to perform factory-certified computer diagnostics on your vehicle. We can get down to the bottom of what is triggering your ABS light and repair it in no time. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your brakes, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Call us at (541) 228-9774 or visit today!