Do You Need To Pump Your Brakes?

On ice and snow-covered roads, it is important  to understand the basics of safe driving. Smart travel planning, reliable tires and regular vehicle maintenance all go a long way to keeping you safe on the road. 

When it comes to driving on ice there are still some common misconceptions. You might hear conflicting advice on what to do if you lose traction. Should you pump your brakes, or not?                                                    It depends.


When driving on ice, the safest technique will depend on whether your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS). Keep reading to find out when to pump and when not to pump.
How do antilock brakes work?

Antilock brakes decrease your stopping distance and increase control and stability during hard braking. It’s an especially useful  on icy roads, where traction is limited. An antilock braking system is made up of speed sensors mounted on each wheel and an electro-hydraulic braking circuit. When used, ABS prevents your wheels from locking by monitoring the speed of each wheel and automatically pulsating the brake pressure when it detects skidding. 
My car has ABS. Do I need to pump my brakes?

If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, you don’t need to pump the brakes when driving on slippery roads. Why? The brakes do it for you.
If you’re wondering how to use ABS, the answer is simple. Your vehicle will activate it automatically, pulsating the brakes as soon as the system detects a wheel skidding. Just firmly press your foot on the brake and maintain steady pressure. You’ll feel the brake pedal pulsate and the ABS light will flash on the instrument panel.

 

How do you know if your vehicle has antilock brakes?

It’s important to know your vehicle’s braking system before you end up navigating an icy road. Your owner’s manual should describe your braking system and how to operate your vehicle in slippery conditions.

Antilock brake systems have been around for a while. By the late 1990s, ABS was becoming commonplace, even on entry-level vehicles.In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began mandating ABS on all new cars.

If your vehicle was built after 2013, then your vehicle has ABS. But if your car is older, you’ll want to check whether ABS was an included option. An ABS light on your dashboard is also an easy indicator of whether or not you have antilock brakes.

Many late-model vehicles are also equipped with traction control or electronic stability control, which can also help when driving on ice.

If your vehicle doesn’t have antilock brakes, manually pumping can help maintain control on slippery roads. Gently apply and release pressure at a moderate rate. Do not apply quick or steady pressure, as this can cause your wheels to lock and your car to skid.