Brakes

We seek the best that life has to offer: buying first-class plane tickets, staying in the presidential suite, even getting plastic surgery. So why should we treat our brakes any differently?

By Akweli Parker

You wouldn't want a big rig packed full of cargo to suddenly lose its brakes barreling down the road. How can air slow down these massive trucks?

By Josh Briggs

Be honest: Do you ever really give much thought to how your car slows down or stops? Browsing through these spectacular street car and race car brake pictures might change that.

Most people can feel their brakes as they wear, and they know when it's time to get new ones. But what if there's a leak in your brake line or someone cuts the line altogether?

By Marshall Brain

Stopping a car in a hurry on a slippery road can be challenging at best and at worst very scary. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help alleviate the danger. Learn how anti-lock brakes prevent skidding, check out what that sputtering is, and find out h

By Karim Nice

If you've ever opened the hood of your car, you've probably seen the brake booster. It's the round, black cannister located at the back of the engine compartment on the driver's side of the car. In this article, we'll see what's inside the black can

By Karim Nice

Disc brakes are the most common brakes found on a car's front wheels, and they're often on all four. This is the part of the brake system that does the actual work of stopping the car. Find out all about disc brakes.

By Karim Nice

The next time your mechanic tells you your brakes need repairing, know exactly what he's talking about. Learn how a drum brake system works, examine the emergency brake setup and find out what kind of servicing drum brakes need.

By Karim Nice

The master cylinder provides the pressure that engages your car brakes. Learn how the master cylinder works with the combination valve to make sure you can brake safely.

By Karim Nice

We all know that pushing down the brake pedal slows a car to a stop. But how does your car transmit the energy from your leg to its wheels? How does it multiply that force so that it is enough to stop something as big as a car?

By Karim Nice