- Brake discs: Most modern passenger cars use disc brakes. Brake discs are steel discs mounted on the wheels that are acted on by brake pads. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the pads press against the brake discs, which causes the vehicle to brake.
- Brake pads: Brake pads are components that come into direct contact with the brake discs. They consist of materials with a high friction capacity, such as ceramic or metallic composites. Under the influence of the hydraulic pressure from the braking system, the brake pads press against the discs, which leads to their stopping and braking the vehicle.
- Drum brakes: Some older passenger cars use drum brake systems. Brake drums are mounted on the wheels and contain brake pads that expand under hydraulic pressure, causing the vehicle to brake.
- Master Cylinder: The master cylinder, also known as the brake master cylinder, generates the hydraulic force needed to operate the brake system. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the master cylinder sends high-pressure brake fluid to the pistons in the calipers (for disc brakes) or the brake cylinders (for drum brakes), which causes braking.
- Brake hoses and pipes: Brake fluid is sent through flexible hoses or brake pipes from the master cylinder to the brake calipers or brake cylinders. Hoses and pipes must be in good condition to ensure proper brake fluid flow and effective braking.
- Brake booster: Some passenger cars use brake booster systems to help ease pressure on the brake pedal. The most common type of brake booster is a vacuum or hydraulic booster, which amplifies the force applied by the driver to the brake pedal.
- ABS (Anti-lock Brake System): Many modern passenger cars are equipped with ABS. ABS is a brake control system that prevents the wheels from locking when braking. It works by monitoring the rotational speed of individual wheels and adjusting the braking force on each wheel, which enables the driver to maintain control of the vehicle in difficult road conditions.
Remember that the details described above apply to the general principles of operation of braking systems in passenger cars. Different brands and models of cars may differ in specific solutions and technologies used in their braking systems.
