Subaru Legacy: ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Subaru Legacy: ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

WARNING

Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with an ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.

CAUTION

● The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance. You should always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.

● When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy road, or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be longer for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driving under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and leave ample distance from other vehicles.

● When you feel the ABS system operating, you should maintain constant brake pedal pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing so may defeat the operation of the ABS system.

The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which may occur during sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This helps prevent the loss of steering control and directional stability caused by wheel lock-up.

When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates.

The ABS system will not operate when the vehicle speed is below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).

• ABS system self-check
• ABS warning light

ABS system self-check

You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the operating sound of ABS from the engine compartment just after the vehicle is started. This is caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS system being carried out and does not indicate any abnormal condition.

ABS warning light

The ABS warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off after approximately 2 seconds.

This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.

CAUTION

● If any of the following conditions occur, we recommend that you have the ABS system repaired at the first available opportunity by your SUBARU dealer.

– The warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.
– The warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, but it does not turn off even when the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
– The warning light illuminates during driving.
– The warning light flashes.
● When the warning light is on (and brake system warning light is off), the ABS function shuts down; however, the conventional brake system continues to operate normally.
● When the warning light is flashing, the ABS system may be malfunctioning. However, the conventional brake system continues to operate normally.

NOTE

If the warning light behavior is as described in the following, the ABS system may be considered normal.
● The warning light illuminates right after the engine is started but turns off immediately, remaining off.
● The warning light remains illuminated after the engine has been started, but it turns off when the vehicle speed reaches approximately 8 mph (12 km/h).
● The warning light illuminates during driving, but it turns off immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning light may illuminate. This is due to the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will turn off.

BrakingElectronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system