How can you identify if a vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes?

Identifying whether a vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes can be effectively done by inspecting for a yellow ABC malfunction lamp. This lamp is a visual indicator specifically designed to alert the driver regarding the status of the antilock braking system (ABS). When the vehicle is started, the ABS light should illuminate briefly, indicating that the system is functioning correctly. If the light stays on while driving, it suggests there is a problem with the antilock braking system that requires attention.

Other methods, such as checking the brake fluid level, won't provide definitive information about the presence of ABS, since fluid levels do not indicate specific braking technology. Testing the brake pressure is also not a reliable method for identifying ABS, as conventional and antilock brake systems can function with similar pressure ranges. While looking for a special badge could theoretically help identify an ABS-equipped vehicle, not all manufacturers utilize badges, and this method is less reliable than the yellow malfunction lamp.

Thus, inspecting for the yellow ABC malfunction lamp stands as the most straightforward and effective method for confirming the presence of antilock brakes.