Service Brake

When you press the brake pedal, the force from the pedal is transferred to the wheels via the brake fluid. If there is a leak, the braking effect on the wheels in the system is lost. For this reason, all modern cars are fitted with a so-called dual circuit braking system. This means that if there is a leak or if one system is not working, there will still be a braking effect on two or three of the wheels. Vehicles with a dual circuit braking system have an indicator lamp on the dashboard which lights up if the fluid level in either of the systems is too low.

If the service brake is not working and there is no braking effect on any of the wheels then the car must not be driven – it must be towed!

Parking Brake (Handbrake)

The parking brake is a brake system that generally only works on the rear wheels. The brake is usually engaged by moving a lever with your hand. A warning light comes on when the parking brake is engaged so that you won’t forget to disengage the brake before driving off.

When parking, you should remember to engage the parking brake and also set the car in a low gear. This will help prevent the car from rolling off if the parking brake does not work properly. In cold, damp weather, there is a risk that the parking brake will freeze in place. In such cases, you should therefore park on level ground and only set the car in gear.

Brake Servo (Vacuum Servo)

All newer vehicles have brake servo systems. With the help of the engine, the system strengthens the brake power from the pedal to the wheels. Light pressure on the brake pedal gives a strong braking effect on the wheels thanks to the brake servo system. Because this system is powered by the engine, it will not work when the engine is switched off. This means that, if the engine switched off, you will need to press much harder on the brake pedal to get the same braking effect on the wheels.

To check that the brake servo is working properly, press the brake pedal a couple of times and keep it held down as you start the engine. When the engine starts, the pedal will sink down slightly if the servo is working.

ABS Brakes (Anti-Lock Brakes)

Almost all modern cars have anti-lock brakes, known as ABS brakes (Anti-lock Braking System). If the ABS brakes are working properly, the brake pedal will pulsate when braking strongly. A warning lamp will light up on the dashboard if there is anything wrong with the ABS system.

The Advantages of ABS Brakes

• You can control the car even when braking strongly.
• The risk of skidding is reduced.
• The braking distance is shorter in most road conditions (the braking distance can be somewhat longer on snow and gravel).

Checking the Brakes

It is important that your brakes always work as they should. There are warning lights to help you identify when there is something wrong, but it is important that you manually check the brakes as well.

To check the brake system, pepress the brake pedal force-fully for 15 seconds:

• If the brake pedal stops when it is about half way down and feels rigid, then the brakes are in good condition.
• If the brakes feel springy, then there may be air in the system.
• If the brakes engage close to the floor they might need to be adjusted or repaired.
• If the pedal sinks down slowly then there is a leak in the system.

You must always test the brakes by braking after the car has been washed. There may be moisture in the brakes, which reduces the braking effect. Testing the brakes makes them heat up, causing any moisture to evaporate.

The Steering System

When you turn the steering wheel, this movement is transferred to the wheels and the car changes direction. The steering system becomes worn over time, especially if it is subjected to high levels of stress. This can lead to looseness or play in the steering system, which can eventually cause the steering wheel to shake. You can check for looseness by standing at the side of the car and turning the steering wheel to the right and the left to see how much the steering wheel can move before the car wheels move. Steering wheel shake can also be caused by imbalance in the front wheels.

Power Steering System

The power steering system makes the car easier to steer. With the help of hydraulic fluid and pistons, force from steering wheel movements is transferred to the wheels. The power steering system is powered by the car’s engine. The car will therefore be difficult to steer when the engine is switched off.

There are also cars with electromechanical power steering. The advantages of this kind of power steering are that it is more fuel efficient and its performance is not reduced over time. It either works properly, or it doesn’t work at all.

To test that the power steering system is working as it should, turn the steering wheel to the right or the left at the same time as you start the engine. When the engine starts, you will notice that it immediately becomes much easier to turn the steering wheel.