Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Anti-lock Brakes
(US: EX/SE/Anniversary Edition, Canada: EX-RISE)
Your car has an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). This system helps
you to maintain stopping and steering control. It does this by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding.
The ABS is always " O N " . It requires no special effort or driving
technique. You will feel a pulsation in the brake pedal when the ABS
activates.
Activation varies with the amount of traction your tires have. On
dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very hard
before you feel the pedal pulsation that means the ABS has
activated.
However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately if you are
trying to stop on snow or ice.
Under all conditions, the ABS is helping to prevent the wheels from
locking so you can retain steering control. You should continue to
press on the brake pedal with the same force.
You may feel a slight movement of the brake pedal just after you
start the engine. This is the ABS working.
The ABS is self-checking. If
anything goes wrong, the ABS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on (see page
41
). This
means the Anti-lock function of the
braking system has shut down. The
brakes still work like a conventional
system providing normal stopping ability. You should have the
dealer inspect your car as soon as possible.
The ABS works by comparing the speed of the wheels. When
replacing tires, use the same size originally supplied with the car.
Tire size and construction can affect wheel speed and may cause
the system to work inconsistently.
A car with an ABS may require a longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces than an equivalent car without ABS. The ABS
cannot make up for road conditions or bad judgment. It is still your
responsibility to drive at reasonable speeds for weather and traffic
conditions, and to leave a margin of safety.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the wiring or the speed sensors at the
back of each wheel when removing mud or snow from the wheel
housings.
A B S
