Why Does My Brake Pedal Feel Like This?
The brake pedal feel on a vehicle with an ABS system has a very different feel than that of a conventional braking system. When the ABS system is active, you can feel small bumps, followed by rapid pedal pulsations that will continue until the vehicle comes to a stop or the ABS system turns off.
Even though this is normal operation some drivers may think that a serious defect is present in the brake system. Chances are when they road tested the vehicle before they bought it they did not try panic stops. Also the fact that emergency braking can be rare motorists could possibly drive a vehicle for years without using the ABS function.
Note that these pulsations are the result of the hydraulic fluid modulation that is controlled by the ABS computer and the hydraulic braking system. Some of the latest ABS braking systems are starting to use dampening valves in their modulation unit. This reduces the harsh brake pedal feel to the driver’s foot during a panic stop.
If the driver has a complaint of brake pedal feel while the ABS system is active. Your best bet at this point would be to compare the brake pedal feel with that of a similar vehicle.
Why we need antilock brakes
With all the problems that come with an antilock brake system such as ABS warning lights being turned on, harsh feel from the brake pedal, why should we have these systems on our vehicles at all?
The goal is stopping the car in the shortest distance possible. Way back before the invention of Abs systems drivers would actually have to pump the brakes during emergency braking themselves. Modern Abs systems are now capable of pulsing brake fluid pressure 20 times per second. By modulating the pressure to the brakes friction between the tires and the road is maintained and the vehicle is able to come to a controllable stop.
Steering is another important consideration of tires that are locked and skidding. Therefore one of the big advantages of ABS is the ability to keep control of the vehicle under these panic conditions. If your front tires are not locked up. Steering the car away from trouble is now easier.
Some people are not aware that antilock brake systems do not prevent all wheel lockups. A small amount of wheel lock is necessary for the shortest stopping distance. During ABS operation, there is a target slip rate that can be anywhere from zero to 30%. This is why when the system is active you can still hear just a slight amount of tire lock up.
The antilock braking system is our friend. Automobiles stop in much shorter distances then cars built just a few years ago thanks to these Abs sytems. Some motorists will drive around with the antilock brake light on, because they are concerned about repair costs.
The main concern should be about vehicle safety and this light should be diagnosed and repaired. Some ABS malfunctions are easily repaired, such as defective wheel speed sensors. In rare cases, antilock brake system electrical circuit malfunctions can be harder to repair and diagnose.
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