Also known as an “Anti Lock Braking System”, ABS has been included in more than half of all new cars and more than 80 percent of light-duty trucks sold in North America in 1995.  ABS was tried years ago with trucks but had many flaws.  All tractors manufactured after 1997 and trailers manufactured after 1999 must be equipped with anti lock brakes.  ABS is designed to prevent skidding and to help the driver maintain steering control during an emergency braking situation.  There are sensors at each wheel that distinguish when a wheel is about to “lock up”.  The ABS will then “release” and apply the brake repeatedly.  You might think of ABS as “computerized pumping” of the brakes.  It eliminates the need for the driver to pump the brakes.  The driver can feel some pulsation or increased resistance in the brake pedal when ABS has been engaged. It is important to keep your foot on the brake pedal and continue to apply firm pressure.  Many companies trade their trucks every 2-3 years for new ones so chances are you will drive an ABS equipped tractor.  On the other hand, trailers are not traded in nearly as often – on the average of 5-8 years.  It’s likely that you’ll have an ABS equipped tractor and non-ABS equipped trailer.  This significantly changes the way you brake.  The following is for reference only.  Be sure to ask your company exactly what your tractor/trailer is equipped with and how it is to be used.

How do you know if you have ABS?  There should be a light on your tractor’s panel that lights up when you start the engine.  As long as this indicator lights up at start up, you have ABS and it is working properly.  If the ABS light lights up during normal driving – or at some time other than start up and remains lit, this indicates there may be a malfunction with the ABS.  This does NOT mean, however, that you do not have brakes!  It means only that you may have lost your ABS.  You should resort to braking as you would if you did not have ABS at all.  The trailer is required to have a light as well.  This resembles a turn signal but should say “ABS” on it and is located on the driver’s side of the trailer.  If the light comes on and remains lit, it indicates a problem with the ABS.  As above, this is not to say you have no brakes – it indicates that you may have a problem with the ABS and should brake as if you do not have ABS.  Make sure to get your truck and/or trailer into a shop as soon as you can to have such a problem fixed.