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SAFE-T-STOP DETECTS BRAKE FAULTS

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A recent landmark study into brake testing methods has shown without question that SafeTstop detects brake faults precisely, far ahead of other test methods. 

Here at Gil Auto we use SafeTstop:

A vehicle was modified to allow exact adjustment of brake pressure to individual wheels, with sensors to validate those adjustments. Ten different adjustments were made, imitating the effects of common brake faults.

SafeTstop found and measured these reductions every time, in repeated tests. A baseline comparison for the study was a stopping distance test conducted with state-of-the-art measuring equipment, and all measurements in the study were audited by the National Measurement Institute. The rigorous study was conducted by the University of Adelaide and Commonwealth Government, supported by SafeTstop.

Safetstop identified and measured reductions in brake performance in all ten situations. The other methods tested were the roller brake tester (equipment provided by the SA government for his study) and a decelerometer (brand new and calibrated). In some of the brake testing situations, the roller and the decelerometer either falsely passed or falsely failed a brake test.

It was shown in the stopping distance test, that a vehicle travelling at 80 km/h will take up to 75% longer to stop – that’s a frightening 20 metres – before it fails regulatory brake tests. With the rear brakes not functioning at all, and the front reduced by 33% pressure, this scenario was the ONLY one to fail a roadworthy test with the decelerometer. All others passed! The roller tester struggled to measure deceleration and only identified brake imbalance on the rear axle (not the front axle). It cannot measure brake bias.

Testing Summary: 154 Brake Tests in total

With smaller adjustments, for example, an adjustment mimicking a seized caliper slide, the SafeTstop was also able to identify the problem consistently and accurately. In the case of a 34% brake pressure reduction to one front wheel, the common passenger car took 21% longer to stop (5.8 metres) from 80 km/h.

The SafeTstop highlighted these faults, which would endanger lives, but would still pass roadworthy/registration requirements with the other two test methods. These findings are very alarming when applied to what happens on our roads.

ONLY SafeTstop can precisely identify reductions in brake pressures and measure brake balance effectively.

This was the first independent research into brake testing in 30 years. Technology has come a long way in that time, but brakes are still mechanical and hydraulic systems, and they can still fail!!!

At Gil Auto we are proud to be part of the SafeTstop network, improving safety on our roads and ensuring that our customers’ vehicles are able to stop safely.