Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Brake Performance Test of an Automobile
The brake performance test of FMVSS 105 defines the minimum needs for the brake system on any vehicle driven on the road. The technician should know a bit about the performance test, not for the sake of being able to quote government regulations. Parts of the test define the kind of performance a brake system should deliver after the vehicle serviced.
The brake performance test divided into eighteen stages and begins with a new set of brakes on a test vehicle. The first stage is to install the test instruments on the vehicle and verify that they operate correctly. The vehicle then goes through the test called “first effectiveness test”. This test is performed with new brake linings before they have had a chance to burnish in.
Rules and Regulations for driving an automobile
The vehicle makes six stops from 30 mph and six stops from 60 mph. One of the stops from 30 mph made in 57 feet or less. One stop from 60 mph must be in 216 feet or less. These stopping distances and stopping distances in other stages of the test are absolute requirements for any vehicle of any size and weight. Remember that FMVSS 105 defines minimum brake performance. It is up to the engineers to design the vehicle and the brake system to meet the performance standards.
While the governments set the minimal rules and regulations for design and manufacturing, the technician should understand the ramification if a brake system is not returned to its designed capability. Failure to follow correct repair procedures could cause a vehicle accident, resulting in damage, injuries, and lawsuits. It takes less time to do it right, rather than to take a shortcut that saves time and labor in the short term. But it may result in much greater loss of time and money later.
Automotive Service Certification – ASE
After new vehicles are first sold, the responsibility for maintaining safe brake operation falls on the vehicle owners. The owners, in turn, rely on the service technician to keep the brakes in proper operating condition. Many states and provinces have laws that govern brake system operation and brake service. Some states require periodic vehicle safety inspection, either every year or every 2 years.
These safety inspections usually include at least an inspection of brake components. Some also include dynamic stopping tests, done on a brake system analyzer or on a measured course. If a vehicle fails any part of the safety inspection, its registration cannot be renewed till all defects are fixed. Some states require that a vehicle that failed a brake test or inspection, it cited for unsafe brakes by a police officer.
The vehicle repaired at a state-authorized repair facility only. Moreover, some states, provinces, counties, or cities have regulations for the licensing or certification of brake service technicians. Some areas conduct their own certification programs; others rely on Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification in brake service. ASE is a nonprofit organization that technically certifies automotive technicians with a series of standardized written tests.
Automotive business leaders, technicians, and educators select and write the test questions. Working in an area that has brake service regulations, the technician will find that safety is not only good common sense, it is good business. Service technicians who pass all certification requirements for brake systems will get more of the service business, have more secure employment, and earn higher wages. As a result, any technician who provides high-quality brake service can take satisfaction in knowing that he or she is contributing to driving safety.
