Reading Auto Repair

ABS, traction control, and stability warnings can make the dashboard look busier than the problem really is. One light comes on, then another, and it feels like several systems failed at once. A lot of the time, they are all reacting to the same missing piece of information. That information usually starts with the wheels. If one ABS sensor stops reporting wheel speed correctly, the car loses the data it needs to manage braking, tire slip, and stability control. The brakes may still feel normal, but the extra safety systems may not be working the way you expect. How One ABS Sensor Feeds Several Systems An ABS sensor reads how fast each wheel is turning. The anti-lock braking system uses that data to prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. If one wheel slows too quickly, ABS can pulse brake pressure to help the tire keep rolling. Traction control uses the same wheel speed data during acceleration. If one tire spins faster than the others, the system can reduce en ... read more