| Topic | Summary |
| Park brake system |
The primary components of the park brake system are: parking brake cables, and disc brake caliper fitted with park brake, or park brake lever on drum brakes. |
| Brake pedal |
The brake pedal acts as a lever to increase the force applied to the brake pedal pad, by the driver. |
| Brake lines |
Brake lines carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. For most of their length they are steel, and attached to the body with clips or brackets to prevent damage from vibration. They are much the same on all brake systems. |
| Brake fluid |
Brake fluid is a special purpose high-boiling point fluid. It transmits the hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder to the brake units. |
| Bleeding | When you bleed a hydraulic system you are removing air from the system. |
| Master cylinder |
The single-piston master cylinder transforms the applied pedal force into an hydraulic pressure which is transmitted simultaneously to all four wheels. |
| Divided systems |
Braking ability depends on the load on a wheel during braking. Front-engined, rear-wheel cars use a braking system with a front-rear split, or with an L-split. Most front-engined, front-wheel drive vehicles use a diagonal configuration. |
| Tandem master cylinder |
The tandem master cylinder transforms applied brake force into hydraulic pressure which is transferred to the wheel units through two separate circuits. This provides residual braking in the event of fluid loss. |
| Power booster or brake unit |
The power booster assists the driver by reducing the amount of effort that has to be applied to the brake pedal during braking. |
| Hydraulic brake booster | The hydraulic brake booster uses hydraulic pressure generated by the power steering pump rather than engine vacuum to provide the power assistance required. |
| Electrohydraulic braking (EHB) |
Electrohydraulic braking replaces the current modulator with one that includes a high pressure accumulator. |
| Applying brakes |
As the brakes are applied, the pedal pushrod transmits movement through the power unit to the master cylinder piston to apply the brakes. |
| Brake force |
The power booster uses pressure differences in a diaphragm unit to increase the force being applied in the brake circuit. |
| Brake light switch | The function of the stop or brake light switch is to indicate to people driving behind us that our vehicle is slowing or stopping. |
