Ace the Texas CDL General Knowledge Exam 2025 – Drive Your Future to Success!

The basic components of a vehicle's braking system are indeed brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid.

Brake pads are the friction material that presses against the rotors to slow down or stop the vehicle. When the driver applies the brakes, hydraulic force causes the brake pads to push against the spinning rotors, generating the friction necessary to reduce the vehicle's speed.

Rotors, also known as brake discs, are the metal discs that the brake pads clamp down on. They are crucial for the braking process, as they are what actually slows the wheels down through friction.

Brake fluid is another vital component; it transfers the force from the brake pedal through the hydraulic brake lines to the brake pads. Without brake fluid, hydraulic pressure cannot be generated, and thus, the braking system would not function properly.

The other options do not pertain to the vehicle's braking system. For instance, transmission, drive shaft, and spark plugs relate to the vehicle’s engine and drivetrain; windshield wipers, headlights, and tires are part of the vehicle's safety and functionality but are not involved in braking; while battery, alternator, and fuel pump are components associated with the vehicle's electrical and fuel systems.