A car’s braking system plays a crucial role in its overall safety: the more effective the brakes, the shorter the stopping distance. The brake size must be matched to the car’s engine power, weight and theoretical top speed. For reasons of safety, modern cars are fitted with two brake circuits serving diagonally opposite wheels on two axles.
Some models ensure sufficient stopping power through a combination of disc brakes at the front wheels and drum brakes at the rear. Higher-powered and mid-sized models tend to use more powerful, internally ventilated discs at the front, as well as fitting disc brakes at the rear.
Currently, the minimum standard specification for vehicle braking systems includes: Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), brake servo, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
