Electronic Brake Distribution

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

On initial application of the brake pedal, full pressure is applied to the rear brakes. The ABS module then uses wheel speed input to calculate an estimated rate of deceleration. Once vehicle deceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the ABS module closes the appropriate isolation valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) to hold the rear brake pressure constant while allowing the front brake pressure to build. This creates a balanced braking condition between the front and rear wheels and minimizes the chance of rear wheel lockup during hard braking. As the vehicle decelerates, the valves are opened to increase the rear brake pressure in proportion to the front brake pressure.

A slight bump sensation may be felt in the brake pedal when Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) is active.

If ABS is disabled due to DTCs being present in the ABS module, EBD will continue to function unless the DTCs are for wheel speed sensors or the HCU. When EBD is disabled, the red brake warning indicator and the ABS warning indicator will be illuminated.