Car Care Council

Check Your Brake I.Q.

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How long is one second? About as long as it took to read the last sentence; exactly how long it takes to cover an 88 foot stretch of highway at 60 miles an hour.

Imagine, at that speed, encountering a panic situation that demands immediate braking. You may need another second or two--using up at least 100 feet--to react to get your foot to the brake pedal.Then, all going well, a few hundred feet further down the road your car will come to a stop.

Depending on the reaction time, the type of vehicle and several other factors, including the mechanical condition of your car, you hay have traveled several hundred feet from the time you first encountered the situation until you're safely stopped.

A frightening scenario! In fact, a national survey of motorists discloses that loss of braking would be the worst possible mechanical crisis a driver could imagine.

Not surprisingly, says the Car Care Council, brake failure is the leading mechanical cause of highway accidents. To heighten consumer awareness about the vital vehicle system, the Council offers this multiple choice brake safety quiz.

1.  You feel the brake pedal pulsate as you come to a stop.
    The reason may be:
 a. worn brake pads.
 b. overheated brake fluid.
 c. warped front rotors.

2.  Your car steers to the right when you apply the brakes.
    The reason could be:
 a. a sticking left front brake	caliper.
 b. low fluid in the master cylinder.
 c. a defective parking brake pulley.

3.  What is ABS?
 a. Air Bag System.
 b. Anti-Lock Brake System.
 c. A computer system acronym.

4.  Your brake warning light goes on.
    The most common trouble:
 a. a leak in the hydraulic system.
 b. a leak in the vacuum system.
 c. worn brake pads or linings.

5.  A common early warning sign of brake trouble is:
 a. a harsh scraping or grinding sound when brakes are applied.
 b. the pedal falls to the floor when brakes are applied.
 c. the wheels lock when the car is driven in reverse.

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ANSWERS:
1. (c) is correct. The wobbling surface of a warped brake rotor will cause an uneven or pulsating action as you stop.
2. (a) is correct. The faulty action of the left brake causes stronger braking on the right side. The result, your car wants to dart in that direction.
3. (b) is correct. ABS is an acronym for anti-lock braking system. Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent skidding and help drivers maintain steering control during an emergency stopping situation. Determine if your car has an anti-lock braking system by noting whether an ABS light flashes on your dashboard during ignition, checking your owner's manual, or asking your dealer.
4. (a) is correct. When you see your brake warning light go on, go directly to a technician to find out what's wrong and have it fixed.
5. (a) and (b) are correct. The harsh noise indicates excessive wear, leading to damaged drums or rotors and eventual brake failure. The falling pedal means a problem in the hydraulic system; you're about to lose your brakes.

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Questions like these are contained in the 90-page Car Care Quiz Book. Published by the Car Care Council, the illustrated book has informative text plus 110 questions and detailed answers covering the car from bumper to bumper. It's available for $5.95 from the Car Care Council, Dept. BOOK, One Grande Lake Drive, Port Clinton, OH 43452.

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