How to fix service brake system

Most modern automobiles feature at least one dashboard light that indicates the braking system.

Many feature two or even three lights: one that illuminates when the ABS is activated, another that illuminates when the parking brake is engaged, and yet another that illuminates when something goes wrong with the overall braking system.

Individual and shared triggers for these lights differ based on your vehicle’s make, model, year, and features.

Consult your owner’s handbook after reviewing these broad recommendations for the most exact explanation of what your dashboard lights mean. What does it mean when it says service brake assist, will be discussed in this article. 

What Exactly is Brake Assist?

Brake assist is a feature in modern cars that assists drivers in coming to a faster stop. It accomplishes this by detecting when the driver is braking hard and then supplying more braking force to help reduce the stopping distance.

Some drivers may choose to disengage brake assist because they believe it makes braking more difficult.

Others may disable it if they believe it is dangerous. On the other hand, Brake assist is a very safe device that is designed to assist drivers in stopping swiftly in an emergency circumstance.

It’s a useful function, but if you don’t like it or don’t think you need it, you can always turn it off. Please keep in mind that removing brake assist may increase your stopping distance in an emergency. It’s advisable to leave brake assist on if you’re uncomfortable with it.

According to a study conducted in 1992 at the Mercedes-Benz driving simulator in Berlin, more than 90% of drivers fail to brake with sufficient force when involved in a car accident.

Brake assist and anti-lock braking systems in your vehicle work together to improve braking efficiency. This combination not only helps you stop in an emergency but also prevents your wheels from locking up. This is important in a variety of situations.

How Does Brake Assist Work?

Brake assist systems are divided into two categories. Mechanical brake assist is the older type, while electronic brake assist is the newer version. The way the two brake assist systems detect emergency braking when you step on the brake pedal is what distinguishes them.

Mechanical Brake Assist

Instead of being electrical, the first generation of the brake assist system was mechanical. This means that there are no electronic sensors to monitor the force and speed with which the brake pedal is pressed.

On the other hand, mechanical brake assist is controlled by mechanical parameters. When a driver presses the brake pedal, the brake assist must reach a particular position before engaging.

When this happens, a locking mechanism engages, directing braking power to the brake booster rather than the brake piston valve. If your car was manufactured after 2004, it most likely does not have mechanical brake assist.

Brake Assist With Electronic Controls

The electronic brake assist system makes use of an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit detects an emergency when the driver pushes the brake pedal with a specified speed and force. As a result, the unit raises the braking power to slow the car even further.

Another cool feature of this brake assist system is that it remembers and adapts to the driver’s braking behavior. This may cause the system’s preprogrammed thresholds to be tweaked to accommodate the driver’s regular foot pressing force and speed.

That way, it’ll perform a better job of activating the brake assist in an emergency.

Is Brake Assist The Same as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)?

They are not identical, but they do collaborate to improve your driving experience. ABS, for example, is designed to guarantee that traction is maintained. This has the shortest stopping distance when compared to slamming on the brakes and sliding to a stop.

When stopping, however, allowing the wheels to rotate slowly maintains traction and reduces stopping time.

Furthermore, if something unexpected happens during your heroic halt, the combination of the service brake assist, and the ABS provides additional control. Brake Assist is a technology that works in tandem with anti-lock brakes.

As soon as you slam on the brakes, brake assist kicks in, supporting you in quickly braking.

It recalls how you brake and will activate if an emergency is detected based on your braking speed. Brake assist has the drawback of being ineffective if you are late in applying the brakes. On the other hand, Brake Assist will assist you if you apply enough force to the brakes.

What Does It Mean When There Is a Service Brake Assist Warning?

This is usually a sign that the brake sensor has gone bad. Almost every automobile has a brake assist light. It’s a wired circuit that connects a sensor to the vehicle’s brain or computer. Assume the sensor fails or senses a braking system failure or broken component.

In that situation, your brake service light will illuminate, indicating that you should have your brakes examined by a professional.

The good news is that a code reader can usually immediately discover the problem. The most common cause is sensor failure. They are simple to install and replace. Buy the sensor yourself and save practically all of your money by taking it to a mechanic and replacing it for $50-100.

Is it Safe To Drive With The Anti-Lock Brakes And Traction Control Lights On?

Yes and no, albeit we’re inclined toward the latter. With the ABS and traction lights turned on, you may drive safely. However, I strongly discourage you from doing so. When the ABS light illuminates, it means your ABS needs to be inspected and may not be functioning properly.

Driving in regular conditions shouldn’t be a problem, but who knows when a scary moment will happen?

Your brake system may become clogged if you brake hard. This can lead to a slew of bad events. I recommend getting your anti-lock brake system looked out as soon as the ABS light comes on. It’s sometimes as simple as changing a sensor or replenishing your fluid.

Other times, the system is broken and has to be repaired by an expert. This is low-cost insurance, as repairing a little (low-cost) problem with your ABS could prevent a major (expensive) one in the future.

You may have turned off your traction control if the traction light is on. For precise traction control, there are usually no warning signals. In most autos, this would be displayed alongside another warning light.

Check your owner’s manual to see what the traction control light in your automobile is supposed to mean.

If you have a traction control light on and it hasn’t been switched off, I’d use a code reader to figure out the problem (sensor failure again) or have a mechanic inspect it and figure it out as soon as possible. Your vehicle control system may malfunction, causing you to lose control of your vehicle.

Is It Possible To Disable Brake Assist?

No. You can’t turn off brake assist in most automobiles. It can be challenging to control in some driving scenarios, but car manufacturers generally prefer brake assist and will not allow the user to disable it without voiding the warranty.

It is not encouraged because it can lead to a slew of other issues, including an accident. Although I do not advocate it, some automobiles contain a fuse that can disable brake assist, and removing the brake assist fuse would disable it.

What Does Your Truck’s “Service Brake Assist” Mean?

When the service brake system light on your truck illuminates, you know there’s a problem. Is it, however, a severe problem? After all, you never know unless you try it. The following are the most typical causes:

Extremely serious issues

• Low fluid level
• Lines are leaking (in air brakes)
• ABS isn’t working.

Issues that are not serious

• Sensor failure
• Problem with the lighting
• Indication of mileage inspection
• Problem with grounding

The significant flaws should be addressed immediately, as they might substantially hinder the vehicle’s ability to stop or operate as intended, resulting in an accident or harm.

Non-serious issues are those that should have no bearing on anything but an annoyance on your dashboard. It needs to be addressed, but you have more time to do so.

FAQs

What Does The Term “Service Brake Assist” Imply?

Brake assist is a car safety function that assists drivers in coming to a faster stop during an emergency braking situation. Brake assist is a feature that recognizes the signals of emergency braking and provides more brake support to drivers.

What Is The Procedure For Resetting The Service Brake Assist?

Reset the electricity to your car’s central computer. Disconnect your car’s positive battery cable and press down on the brake pedal until the car’s electrical system is completely exhausted. The car’s computer will be reset, and the indicator light will turn off if there is no stored electricity.

What Is The Cost Of A Brake Assist Service?

For most autos, replacing your brake booster will cost between $300 and $700. Of course, there are some exceptions, but you should expect to pay somewhere in that area on average. Labor prices typically vary from $100 to $170, while parts might cost anywhere from $150 to $500.

How Do You Know Whether Your Brake Assist Is Working?

After turning off the engine, slowly press the brake pedal several times. When you first pump it, the pedal should be very ‘low’ that is, there should be little pressure resistance. The pressure on the pedal should increase as you pump it, indicating that the brake booster is not leaking.

Is It Necessary For Me To Have Brake Assist?

You’ll need a brake controller and a breakaway kit if your trailer has electronic brakes. If your trailer has electronic brakes, you’ll need a controller to send a signal from the vehicle to the trailer for them to work. You’ll need a brake controller if your trailer has electronic brakes.

Final Verdict

Driving is an aspect of life that we all do regularly. When things go wrong, life becomes challenging. Nobody wants to deal with these issues. However, staying ahead of your vehicle and understanding what it tells you can save you a significant amount of time and money.

You have to understand what service brake assist means in your automobile.

Having a code reader and a basic emergency kit in your car will come in handy when you need them. We all have the potential to be involved in an accident, and we don’t want to increase our chances of doing so.

Don’t overlook your service brake assist light when it turns on. Check it out, and then forget about it so you can get back to your regular life.

For more related topics, you may also check out these articles:

Temporary Fix For A Stuck Brake Caliper

What Causes A Car To Jerk When Stopping With Brakes? A Comprehensive Guide

Motor Vehicle Service Notification – Is It A Scam Or Legit?