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How does the hydraulic braking system work?

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Brake system

Video tutorial

In this video we see the basic principle of the hydraulic braking system, which exploits the so-called "Pascal's law", according to which a pressure exerted on an incompressible fluid (such as in this case the brake fluid) is transmitted uniformly in all directions.

In practice, when we press the brake pedal, we are exerting a force on a piston inside the master cylinder; this force compresses the brake fluid inside the cylinder, generating a pressure, which propagates - through rigid or flexible pipes - to the brake calipers, located near the wheels.

In the calipers, the pressure acts on other smaller pistons, which push the brake pads against the wheel discs. Friction slows down and stops the rotation of the wheels, decelerating or stopping the vehicle completely.


Posted on 2 August 2025 by ScegliAuto


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