How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?

The correct way to determine if a vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) is to look for a specific light on the instrument panel. When the vehicle is started, the ABS light typically illuminates as part of a self-check process. If the light stays on after the engine is running, it indicates a potential issue with the anti-lock braking system.

Monitoring the instrument panel for this light is a reliable method of verifying the presence of ABS, as it is designed to notify the driver of the system's status. Other identification methods, such as the age of the vehicle, may not provide a definitive answer, since ABS technology can be present in both older and newer models depending on the make and model. Similarly, although feeling the brakes may suggest the presence of ABS based on how they respond during hard braking, it is not a certain indicator without the visual confirmation from the instrument panel. The assertion that only the manufacturer would know is misleading; vehicle owners can easily check the instrument panel for the ABS indicator light.