What braking technique is NOT recommended for vehicles equipped with ABS?

• A. Threshold Braking
• B. Light Steady Pressure
• C. Pumping
• D. Quick Release and Re-Apply

Answer: (C)

When a vehicle has ABS, the system is designed to prevent wheel lock by rapidly modulating brake pressure for you, while you maintain steering control. The best approach is to press the brake pedal firmly and hold it; the ABS will do the pulsing work to keep the wheels from locking. Pumping the brakes—releasing and reapplying pressure—interferes with this automatic control. It breaks the continuous pressure the system relies on and can reduce stopping effectiveness, sometimes making you stop longer and lose the ability to steer around hazards. If ABS is active, you’ll feel the brake pedal pulse—that’s normal and just means the system is doing its job. So pumping the brakes is not recommended. Threshold braking is a non-ABS technique used to push toward the point of lock without locking up, while light steady pressure might not provide sufficient brake force or trigger ABS properly, and quick release and re-apply also disrupts continuous braking pressure. The proper method with ABS is firm, steady pressure maintained until the stop is complete.