subject: Get The Safety You Need By Maintaining Your Anti-lock System [print this page] There are many different safety features that your vehicle comes equipped with. One of the best safety systems your vehicle comes with are your brakes. Modern vehicles include the ability to provide safe stopping power by providing anti-lock systems. These will prevent your brakes from locking up whenever you engage them in an emergency. This will make sure that you will not slide on the asphalt instead of coming to an abrupt halt. It is possible that you will be able to maintain these systems with the right kind of maintenance.
To get the best brake service, it is important to make sure that a few things are being checked on each time you bring your vehicle in for any kind of car repair. One of the things that needs to be checked is the brake fluid. They should also check the brake pads for wear. Additionally, the computer should be read to see if there are any diagnostic codes that alert possible problems with the anti-lock systems. This will help to make sure that the current problems will be taken care of. Additionally, it will help in making sure that future problems will be prevented.
Checking the Brake Fluid
A very important part to the anti-lock system is the ability for the brakes to function. This requires that the fluid is at a level that will allow the brake to engage. This is something that can be checked easily at every inspection of your vehicle. While this is not a typical fluid that is checked at every service visit, it is a lot easier for the mechanic to check now, with the onset of onboard computers. A visual inspection should be done because sometimes these things are not completely accurate.
Inspecting the Brake Pads
Even if the brakes are clamping properly, the vehicle will have a hard time stopping if the pads are worn out. It is important to make sure that the pads are being checked regularly. This is a minor repair that can be taken care of easily as long as it is caught in time. The mechanic has a gauge that will let them know what the effective life is on your brake pads. If they feel that your brakes will not make it until your next service visit, it is important that they replace them to prevent problems.
Reading the Diagnostic Codes
Always make sure that the mechanic you take your vehicle to will have the ability to read the diagnostic codes for your vehicle. This will help in making sure that the anti-lock system will get the proper attention it deserves. The mechanic will get information they may not have checked for if it was not for the computer reading it so that the mechanic knows what the problem may be. It is important to make sure that the computer used is specific to your kind of vehicle because not not all of the machines will have the ability to read these codes properly.
