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Modern vehicle braking systems use hydraulic brakes. This means that the system is filled with hydraulic fluid. The fundamental principle of hydraulic science is that this fluid is not compressable. Air is compressable, so if air gets into the brake system, the air will compress when you step on the brake pedal, instead of the car stopping. If there is only a small amount of air in the system, the pedal will feel "soft" or "mushy", but the car will still stop. However, if a significant amount of air gets in the system the pedal will simply go straight to the floor and the car will not stop. While air in the system is very dangerous, it is easy (and free if you can do it yourself) to fix. Just bleed the air out of the system. A manual can outline how you do this correctly. It takes two people, a few basic tools, and about an hour (depending on your skill) to do.
Hydraulic brake systems use the fluid to transfer the force from the brake pedal to the braking system. Fluids can not be compressed. Air bubbles can be compressed and will make the braking system less effective.
In hydraulics, we rely on the ability of the hydraulic fluid to transfer energy from the input end of the system to an output end. If the energy associated with compression of the fluid at the input end is "used up" compressing a bubble in the line, that is just that much energy that won't get to the output end. Looked at another way, compression of the fluid at the input end results in compression of the bubble rather than the delivery of energy to the output end. In a brake system, this is a disaster. It leads to poorly performing brakes, or even a failure. On a moving vehicle, the failure of the brakes frequently spells disaster.
What else can I help you with?
Why will a cars braking system not work well if air gets into the brake fluid?
Air will compress under pressure, hydraulic brake fluid doesn't. Air in the system will give you a spongy peddle because of that.
What are the disadvantages of air braking system?
Run out of air
What is a pneumatic braking system?
Pneumatic braking system utilizes compressed air to stop the motion in vehicles.
What does abs mean air bag system?
abs means anti lock braking system antilock braking system
What is automobiles ABS?
ABS is antilock braking system (not 'air' braking system, especially seeing as air brakes are typically only present in heavy duty and some medium duty trucks). It engages and releases the brakes automatically as you are braking in order to prevent brake lockup and skidding.
What happens when air gets in the braking system?
Air stuck in the brake lines cause the peddle to feel "spongy". Your braking distance will dramatically increase with air in the system. When you apply the brakes in a vehicle that has no air in the system, that pressure added with the pressure from the master cylinder presses the brake pads against the rotor or drum causing you to stop. When there is air in the brake system and you apply the brakes some of that pressure is used up by compressing the air in the system and the rest is trying to stop the vehicle.
What causes 'sponginess'in a hydraulic braking system?
Air in the hydraulic fluid
what is automobiles?
ABS is antilock braking system (not 'air' braking system, especially seeing as air brakes are typically only present in heavy duty and some medium duty trucks). It engages and releases the brakes automatically as you are braking in order to prevent brake lockup and skidding.
Does a motor home with air brakes have another braking system?
It will have a dual circuit application air brake system. Some motorhomes may use an air-over-hydraulic brake system.
What is the purpose of primary air?
In an air-brake equipped vehicle, the primary air system supplies service braking pressure to the drive axles of the vehicle, and, if applicable, supplies service air to the trailer axles when the foot valve is used for braking.
What are advantages of air brakes?
Air is in constant supply, so a leak in the air system won't necessarily cause a loss of braking power (a downside of the hydraulic brake system).
Does all big rigs have air brakes?
Yes, they do. That "electronic" system referred to in European trucks is a control system known as EBS (Electronic Braking System), and is a better system than ABS (Antilock Braking System), but is not compliant with US FMVSS121 regulations as a standalone system. That's a control module - the Euro trucks still use air brakes.
