If you own a vehicle that's ten years old or older, it's important that you're attentive to the condition of some of the vital components. Especially if you were the vehicle's second owner and you don't know a lot about the maintenance and repair history, there are things to be aware of. For example, one thing many people don't understand is the warning signs of problems with the ABS system. Here's a look at some things you should know.
Won't The ABS Light Come On?
You may think that you don't need to worry about any warning signs of ABS problems. After all, your car's ABS warning light is designed to tell you when something is amiss, right? Actually, in most cases, by the time your ABS warning light comes on, there's been a complete interruption in the ABS system.
When you know the early warning signs of ABS system problems, you can identify and address the issues before they lead to complete ABS failure. The sooner you can seek brake repair services, the safer you'll be on the road.
How Can You Identify ABS Problems?
If you're not really familiar with ABS issues, you may not realize that some of the odd things your brakes do are indications of problems with the ABS system. Since problems with your ABS system can affect all sorts of your brake response issues, you need to know what your ABS system can do.
If you press your brakes and feel pulsating or hear a thumping-type sound, those are indications that your ABS system isn't responding as it should. In many cases, it could be as simple as having dirty ABS sensors. When the sensors are dirty or damaged, they won't read properly. This can send mixed signals to your car's computer, resulting in activation of the ABS when it isn't really necessary.
What Should You Do About ABS Problems?
As soon as you start to notice issues with your car's ABS system, you should address the problem right away. The longer you wait, the greater chance you have of the ABS system failing completely. However, it's best to work with a brake repair technician to fix the problem.
Trying to remove the ABS sensors yourself to clean them could result in broken sensors. Especially if they are the original sensors, they can separate and break when you try to pull them out of the brake assembly.
Take your car to a brake repair technician to have the brake problem addressed. That way, you can be confident that your ABS sensors are cleaned or replaced as necessary and there are no safety concerns for you over time. You can also learn more about ABS systems and your options at websites like http://www.autoservicefairfax.com.