Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Anti-lock Brakes (US:EX, Canada: EX-R)
Your car is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you to maintain stopping and steering control. It does this
by helping to prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking.
The ABS is always "ON." 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 during hard braking so you can maintain 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
45
). 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.
ABS
