OOSC, Part II, Item 1. Brake System - ABS

A report titled "Assessment of ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp Status A Snapshot of In-Service Vehicles" dated January 2005, was conducted by Battelle Memorial Institute under contract with FMCSA. This report detailed a study to assess the status of the antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction warning system on in-service air-braked commercial vehicles. Data from approximately 1,000 CMVs were collected in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, by enforcement personnel who had been trained to inspect the ABS warning lamp. Results indicated that about one in six power units manufactured after March 1, 1997 showed some problem with their ABS warning lamp system. One in three trailers manufactured after March 1, 1998 showed a problem with their ABS warning lamp system. While the data above demonstrates problems with the ABS warning lamp operation, this is not currently an item included in the North American Standard Inspection Procedure.

FMCSR 393.55 Antilock Brake Systems specifies that trucks and buses manufactured on or after March 1, 1999 with hydraulic brakes be equipped with ABS and an ABS malfunction indicator that meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 105. Truck tractors utilizing air brakes manufactured on or after March 1, 1997 and air braked CMVs other than a truck tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 shall be equipped with an ABS that meets the requirements of FMVSS 121. The ABS malfunction circuit and signal for air baked vehicles shall meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 121. While not currently in the North American Standard Inspection Procedure, ABS warning lamps are the first indicator of a malfunction in the antilock brake system of a commercial motor vehicle. While the malfunction indicator lamp only may have not been functioning, the lamp must function correctly in order for the CMV operator and enforcement officials to determine if the actual ABS system is operating correctly.

Additions to North American Standard Level 1 Inspection Procedure Amend Step 21 Inspect Rear of Trailer Check tail, stop, turnsignals, and lamps on projecting loads Check functionality of ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp* Check Cargo Securement Note: See Guidance Sheet for checking ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp requirements for the year of trailer being inspected. Amend Step 33 Brake Warning Devices Test Low Air Pressure Warning Device Observe dash gauges while ignition is "on" and the driver is pumping the foot valve to approximately 55 psi Check ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp* Note: See Guidance Sheet for checking ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp requirements for the year of tractor/truck being inspected. Passenger Vehicle Inspection Step 11 Add check ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp* Note: See Guidance Sheet for checking ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp requirements for the year of vehicle being inspected.