Why should you pump your brakes to slow down if your vehicle does not have an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?

Pumping your brakes when driving a vehicle without an anti-lock braking system (ABS) is crucial to maintaining control and preventing skids. When you pump the brakes, you apply them in a controlled, intermittent manner that allows the wheels to maintain traction with the road surface. This technique helps avoid locking up the wheels, which can lead to a loss of control and increases the risk of skidding, especially on slippery or wet roads. In contrast, vehicles equipped with ABS automatically modulate brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup, so this technique is unnecessary in those vehicles.

The other choices, while they pertain to the braking process, do not accurately represent the primary purpose of pumping the brakes in non-ABS vehicles. Stopping the vehicle more quickly isn’t a guarantee when pumping brakes; it could lead to longer stopping distances if not executed properly. Reducing tire wear and increasing fuel efficiency are also not directly linked to the necessity of pumping brakes for vehicle control.