Montana CDL DMV Air Brakes 2

In a vehicle with air brakes, the brake lights are activated when the brake pedal is pushed and air pressure moves an electric switch. With the application of air pressure, the switch will then turn on the brake lights.

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."

The air compressor of an air brake system is connected to the engine through gears or a v-belt. The compressor may be air-cooled or cooled by the engine cooling system.

It is essential that your low pressure warning light function properly. After allowing the system to charge, you can test the warning signal by rapidly applying and releasing the brake pedal. This will release air from the braking system and the warning signal should come on when pressure drops to a dangerous level.

There are two air brake systems in a dual air brake system. The systems share a set of brake controls, but each system has its own tanks, hoses, and lines.

In an air brake system, there are three different braking systems: a service brake system, a parking brake system, and an emergency brake system. The emergency brake system uses parts of both the parking and service brake systems.

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.

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.

Friction inside a brake drum is caused when the brake shoes and linings push against the inside of the drum. The friction in the drums will slow and stop the vehicle.

A dolly equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is required to have a yellow malfunction lamp located on its left side.

When pressing the brake pedal in a vehicle with S-cam brakes, air will enter the brake chambers. The added air pressure will push out the rods and move slack adjusters, twisting the brake camshafts.

When parking on a level surface, you should use wheel chocks. If the vehicle is not equipped with spring brakes, this is essential to prevent the trailer from moving.

Truck tractors with air brakes that were manufactured on or after March 1, 1997 are required to be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS). ABS is required in any other type of vehicle with air brakes that was manufactured on or after March 1, 1998.

Vehicles with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) have yellow malfunction lamps.

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

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.

In a vehicle with dual parking control valves, there is a separate air tank that can be used to temporarily release the spring brakes if they have been activated due to low air pressure. Pushing in the proper control will release the spring brakes for a short period of time, allowing the driver to move the vehicle in an emergency.

On vehicles with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), yellow malfunction lamps alert the driver to ABS malfunction.

Brake linings should not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. They shouldn't be dangerously thin.

Compressed air in an air brake system usually contains a certain amount of water and compressor oil. The water and oil can damage the brakes if left to accumulate in the system. Tanks must be drained regularly to remove this build-up.

Water and compressor oil are removed from air storage tanks through a drain valve. The water and oil can damage the brakes if left to accumulate in the system. Manually operated tanks must be drained every day to remove this build-up.

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.

In an air brake system, the application pressure gauge shows how much air pressure is being applied to the brakes. Not all vehicles with an air brake system have this gauge.

Some older vehicles with air brakes have front brake limiting valves. These valves were intended to reduce the risk of front wheels skidding. However, research has shown that such devices are unnecessary, so they should be left in the "normal" position.

In a tractor-trailer combination, if the tractor is equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) but the trailer is not, the ABS will still improve the driver's steering control. The driver should keep an eye on the trailer and let up on the brakes if the trailer begins to swing out.