Florida CDL DMV Air Brakes 1

If the low air pressure warning light turns on, you should stop and safely park your vehicle as soon as possible. Controlled braking will be possible only as long as enough air remains in the tanks.

A dual air brake system is made up of two separate air brake systems. The systems share a single set of brake controls, but each has its own air tanks, hoses, and lines.

If the low pressure warning signal activates while you are driving, it is important that you safely exit the roadway as soon as possible and park your vehicle. If the air pressure gets too low, the brakes will no longer work well enough for you to stop safely.

You should not apply the brake pedal if the spring brakes are activated. The brakes could be damaged if they are subjected to the force of air pressure and the springs at the same time.

Drum brakes are attached to the wheels and located on the axles of a vehicle. The braking mechanisms that cause the vehicle to stop can be found inside of a drum brake.

In an air brake system, the air compressor governor controls when the air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks.

Using the brakes excessively will cause them to overheat, making them less effective. This is referred to as "fading."

The function of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent the vehicle's wheels from locking up from hard brake application.

When a brake pedal is pressed and the S-cam is turned, the S-cam presses the brake shoes against the inside of the brake drum. This causes friction and will cause the vehicle to slow.

Never apply the brake pedal if your spring breaks are activated. Brakes can be damaged if they are subject to both springs and air pressure.

Both systems in a dual air brake system share a single air compressor. If the air compressor is damaged, neither system will be able to operate properly.

In an air brake system, pressing and releasing the brake pedal unnecessarily can release air from the braking system faster than the compressor can replace it.

Brakes heat up with use. If they are overused and become too hot, expansion and chemical changes will make them less effective and eventually cause them to stop working altogether. This is known as "brake fade."

On a downgrade, the braking effect of the engine should be your primary method of controlling speed. Shift down to a lower gear before starting down the hill and save the brakes for additional slowing or stopping that may be required by road or traffic conditions.

Before starting down a hill, be sure to switch into a low gear. Gravity will increase your vehicle's speed as you travel downhill.

An alcohol evaporator can help prevent ice from building up in an air brake system. In cold weather, the evaporator should be checked and refilled every day.

The total stopping distance for vehicles equipped with air brakes is made up of four factors: perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. When braking at a speed of 55 mph while driving on dry pavement, the brake lag can add around 32 feet to a vehicle's total stopping distance.

A one-way check valve is required to be between an air compressor and the first main reservoir. This valve prevents air from escaping the system if the air compressor develops a leak.

Before driving a vehicle with air brakes, you should ensure that the spring brakes come on automatically when air tank pressure falls to a level between 20 and 45 psi. You can do this by chocking the wheels and releasing air from the braking system by stepping on and off the brake pedal. Once the pressure drops to an unsafe level, the parking brake valve should pop out and spring brakes should come on.

In an air brake system, the air storage tanks hold enough air for brakes to be used several times if the compressor stops working.

Before driving, you should always verify that your service brakes are in good working order. Testing the brakes before a trip allows you to locate any problems before you need to brake while on the road.

If you are unsure if a trailer is equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), look under the vehicle for the electronic control unit and wheel speed sensor wires coming from the back of the brakes.

ABS is equipped in addition to a vehicle's normal braking system and it neither increases nor decreases the vehicle's braking capability. ABS activates during hard applications of the brake pedal in order to prevent wheels from locking up.

In general, you should always use the parking brake when parking your vehicle. However, you should not apply the parking brake if your brakes are very hot or if your brakes are wet and temperatures are below freezing.

In an air brake system, the air compressor governor controls when the air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks.