Antilock Brakes
This text symbol, ABS, stands for Antilock Braking System. The second symbol is the Canadian version, and those that follow below are older versions. The ABS system helps to keep the car from skidding out of control during braking in slippery or extreme braking conditions by limiting your wheels from locking up.
- But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue below.
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols or Text Symbol page and scan again!
If any of these lights come on during normal driving, the system is likely malfunctioning and the vehicle should be brought to your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible. Some manufacturers combine the TEXT BRAKE indicator when a problem arises.
The vehicle can be driven, but at your own risk. The brakes will function as normal, without the benefit of the anti-lock system. This means that in slippery conditions, the driver must control any tendency for the wheels to lock during braking.
The symbol to the left is a European version of the ABS warning indicator. A skidding vehicle is shown inside the circle and brackets traditionally used to denote ‘brake components’, also seen in the symbol above with the ABS acronym inside.
Note that in some vehicles you can turn off the ABS (or the traction control system), in which case the light will remain on.
This version includes the 4×4 designation beneath the more routing ABS indicator in the circle and brackets. This may indicate a problem with the 4- or All-wheel Drive system as well as the ABS System. If this is the case, one or more additional indicators will be present. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible by a competent shop.
Finally, one manufacturer has opted to have this warning light, ABS ACTIVE, come on when the ABS system is simply doing its job . It does not indicate a fault.
This use of a warning light has only otherwise ever been seen with Stability Control systems, and serves only to distract a driver when, in fact, full attention should be on the road. This is always true, but since the ABS activates in slippery conditions, it is all the more true.
Related Symbols
Note that if any of the ABS warning lights are seen with either of these warning lights (right), they indicate a problem with the Brake Force Distribution System. Click here for more.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY