An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety feature that helps you maintain control of the vehicle during hard braking and sudden stops.
An ABS monitors the speed at which each wheel on the vehicle rotates, and then automatically applies pressure to each brake individually as needed to help prevent the wheels from locking up or skidding.
This helps to avoid skids and rollovers and keeps you in control of your vehicle even when panic may be setting in.
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How does ABS work?
In cars, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) use wheel sensors to detect when a wheel is about to lock. At that point, your car’s computer automatically adjusts braking pressure for that wheel in order to avoid a skid. This helps to stop your vehicle during an emergency, keep you in control, and get you out of dangerous situations.
Does ABS decrease your stopping distance?
No. The main benefit of ABS is that it makes braking predictable by giving you back the control of steering.
How does ABS help in extreme weather conditions?
During extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow or ice on a road, ABS comes in handy. In such conditions, there is always a high chance of skidding. But with ABS engaged, your vehicle remains under control, helping prevent accidents that could otherwise lead to car crashes and fatalities.
Tips on driving with ABS
Keep in mind that ABS only activates when your vehicle is losing traction. So it mostly happens when driving on slippery surfaces such as snow. When skidding, your ABS will engage automatically. You will feel and hear the brake pedal vibrating! no panic, this is normal. You don’t need to change the pressure on the brake pedal. Keep your foot braking. As your ABS engages, it gives you steering control back.
When on snow or gravel and on an empty road, you can give it a try to see how it feels!