What the ABS Light Means, and What ABS Does for You

It should go without saying that car technology seems to get more advanced every day. One hundred years ago, horses outnumbered cars on the road, and today, we’re only a few years from having mass-produced driverless vehicles! One of the biggest advances in automobiles (and automobile safety) came a few decades ago when cars were being mass-produced with anti-lock braking systems (ABS). As we all know, nothing is perfect, and your ABS can fail from time to time and necessitate a trip to a brake shop in Gary, IN for repairs. Continue reading to learn more about ABS, why it fails and what we can do to fix it.

What is ABS?

The anti-lock braking system monitors your vehicle’s wheels to ensure they’re all turning at the same speed. If the computer system notices one or more of the wheels are turning at a different speed than the others, it’ll automatically brake to slow that wheel (or wheels) down. This comes in handy in slippery situations, like when you’re driving on snow or ice.

Why does the light come on?

Lights on the dashboard of a car illuminate when your car is trying to tell the driver that something is amiss. Whether the engine is too hot or the oil is too low, sensors throughout your car will let you know. One of the lights on your dash is for the ABS, and when it starts flashing, you know that there’s an issue with the system somewhere along the line. The light will illuminate when the brake fluid is low, if you have a blown ABS fuse or if the system is getting some abnormal signals from the wheels.

What to do when your light comes on

Regardless of why your ABS light is on, it’s always important to pull over to a safe area. Turn your car off and on again. If it was just a malfunction with the light itself, restarting your engine could get it back to normal. If that doesn’t turn the light off, and you don’t know much about repairing cars, it’s not a bad idea to bring your car into the pros at a brake repair shop. A professional mechanic can diagnose and repair the issue to get you back up and running in no time.

Is it safe to drive with the light on?

While you don’t want to see your ABS light turn on, you don’t necessarily need to take it into a brake shop in Gary, IN right away. Even without a properly functioning ABS, you’ll still have normal braking capabilities. Keep in mind that you won’t have skid control, though, so be sure to drive extra careful out there!

When you need your ABS repaired, Miller Brakes & Mufflers, Inc. is your go-to brake shop in Gary, IN. In addition to fixing any type of issue with your ABS or another braking system, we have years of experience making all sorts of repairs to vehicles of all makes and models. Give us a call or stop by our shop to learn more!

Categorised in: Brake Shop

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