Texas CDL DMV Air Brakes 2

When inspecting a vehicle with a dual air brake system, you should wait for air pressure to build from 85 to 100 psi in both the primary and secondary systems. This should take about 45 seconds.

In an air brake system, the air storage tanks must be drained to remove accumulated water and compressor oil. Failing to do this can cause damage. For example, water that has built up in the system could freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure.

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."

Before driving a vehicle with a dual air brake system, you must allow the air compressor time to build up at least 100 psi of air pressure in both the primary and secondary systems.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) malfunction lamps are usually yellow. Even if the ABS isn't working properly, a driver will still have access to the vehicle's usual braking functions.

When performing a static leakage test on a triple combination vehicle with air brakes, the leakage rate should be no more than 5 psi in one minute. If air leaks from the air brake system at a quicker rate, the vehicle should not be driven because something likely needs to be repaired.

The service brake system applies and releases the brakes when a driver presses the brake pedal while driving normally.

The majority of heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with dual air brake systems.

To prevent the build up of oil and water in a vehicle's air tanks, manually operated air tank drains should be used at the end of each day of driving.

An air brake system's safety relief valve is located in the tank that is first to receive air from the compressor.

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.

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.

When inspecting an air brake system with a belt-driven air compressor, it is important to check the condition and tightness of the belt.

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.

Check each slack adjuster after setting wheel chocks and disengaging the parking brake. Pull the slack adjusters to make sure they do not move more than about one inch from where the push rod is attached. If they move more than one inch, they may be out of adjustment and will need to be fixed.

In an air brake system, a low air pressure warning signal must come on if air pressure in the tanks falls below 55 psi. This warning signal may come in the form of a light, a buzzer, or a wig wag.

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

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.

Before driving a vehicle with a dual air brake system, allow time for the air compressor to build up pressure of at least 100 psi in both the primary and secondary systems.

Some pre-1975 vehicles have a front brake limiting valve, which has "normal" and "slippery" settings. The idea behind these valves was to limit the air pressure available to the front brakes when driving on slippery surfaces, and thereby reduce the danger of a front-wheel skid. Studies have found that this is not actually a concern, so if your vehicle has a front brake limiting valve, leave it in the "normal" position.

While driving, spring brakes are generally held in place by air pressure. If the air pressure gets low enough, the springs will activate the brakes.

Because air takes time to flow through the air lines to the brakes, air brakes cannot begin working instantly. There is often a brake lag of at least one-half of a second between the moment the brake pedal is pressed and the moment the brakes begin to work.

It is important to know the maximum air loss rate that is safe for your specific vehicle. A triple combination should have a leakage rate no higher than 6 psi in a minute during an applied leakage test.

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

The controlled braking method for emergency stops involves applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels. Keep steering wheel movements small when braking in this way.