How Important is an Anti-lock Brake System?

Nov 08, 2014 by admin0 CommentAnti-lock Brake System
What is Anti-lock Brake System or ABS?
An anti-lock brake system which is abbreviated as ABS is a secure and efficient braking system. ABS lets the driver to keep directional stability, control the steering, and to decrease stopping distances on emergency braking circumstances, mainly on wet and greasy roads. To gain this security benefits, drivers must know how to apply their ABS correctly.

How does Anti-Lock Brake System Work?
An anti-lock braking system works with the usual brakes on automobile. ABS keeps base brakes from locking up. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver can manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. In vehicles equipped with ABS, the driver’s foot stay on the brake pedal to let the system automatically pump the brakes.

Why is Anti-lock Brake System important?
When brakes lockup on wet and greasy roads or during a panic stop, steering control is lost and the automobile rotates. Rear wheel ABS prevents wheel lockup so that the car resides straightly. If the automobile has ABS control on all the wheels, and the steering also controlled. If a car have steering control, it is probable to avoid a collapse by steering around dangers if a car is not stopped in time.

How do I know my car has Anti-lock Brake System?
Generally the new cars have Anti-lock Brake System as normal or alternative equipment. There are many methods to identify if a car has Anti-lock Brake System.

Read your car owners guide.
Check the instrument panel for an amber ABS indicator light after you turn on the ignition.
On purchase, hire or rents inquire the automobile dealer or hiring company.

Will drivers detect when the Anti-lock Brake System is functioning?
In cars drivers detect a fast pulsation of the brake pedal as the brakes are pushing back this means the ABS is working. Infrequently the pedal could suddenly drop. The valves in the ABS controller make a sound like pressing or humming. It is important not to take foot from the brake pedal when sound is heard or detect pulsations, but instead continue to apply firm pressure.

How the Anti-lock Brake System functions differ from the brakes?
The driver should not apply the brake if the car have ABS. The driver simply grasps the foot on the brake pedal.

Will a car with Anti-lock Brake System stop rapidly than without ABS?
ABS is planned to assist the driver to maintain control of the car on emergency braking circumstances, not to stop the car rapidly. ABS stops the car rapidly on wet or greasy roads when compared to other brakes. On very soft roads such as free gravel or snow an ABS system extend stopping distances. In wet or greasy roads driver should make sure to drive carefully, always maintain a secure distance after the car in front of you, and maintain a reliable speed to the road circumstances.

Is all Anti-lock Brake System identical?
All ABS is extremely identical in the method to manage brake pressure, but a few systems are intended to stop the rear wheels only from locking up. These rear wheel systems are found on pickups and sport utility vehicles. Rear-wheel ABS prevents the car from rotating out of control, but driver not have steering control if the front wheels lock up. All additional ABS systems comprising those for cars and minivans are designed to maintain all four wheels from locking up. If you own a pickup or race car verify the owner’s guide to know the type of ABS.

How can driver get familiarized with Anti-lock Brake System?
Study the owner’s guide for more information on the full operation and advantages of Anti-lock Brake System. The ABS is speed sensitive which is not activated at low speeds of a car. One way to get familiar with the function of ABS is to test drive the car at a speed over 10 mph which the ABS activates in free parking lot and apply the brakes. It is simple to activate the ABS on wet and greasy roads. The ABS should stop the wheels from slipping. Pulsation may be detected in the brake pedal and a sound is heard by driver. Don’t push the brake, even if the pedal is pulsating.

Should I pump the brake pedal when stopping in slippery conditions?
You absolutely should not pump the brake pedal in a car with ABS. Pumping the brakes ­is a technique that is sometimes used in slippery conditions to allow the wheels to unlock so that the vehicle stays somewhat straight during a stop. In a car with ABS the wheels should never lock in the first place, so pumping the brakes will just make you take longer to stop.
In an emergency stop in a car with ABS, you should apply the brake pedal firmly and hold it while the ABS does all the work. You will feel a pulsing in the pedal that may be quite violent, but this is normal so don’t let off the brake.
Do anti-lock brake system really work?
Anti-lock brakes really do help you stop better. They prevent wheels from locking up and provide the shortest stopping distance on slippery surfaces. But do they really prevent accidents? This is the true measure of the effectiveness of ABS systems.
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Just to contribute to what you have said

Advantages of Anti-Lock Brakes

The main benefits of an anti-lock brake system (ABS) include.

Stopping on ice. As mentioned above, an ABS prevents lock-ups and skidding, even in slippery conditions. Anti-lock brakes have been proven to save lives in some situations by helping drivers keep control of a vehicle.
Lower insurance costs. Because it is a thoroughly tested safety device with a track record of effectiveness, insurers often give customers specific discounts for having an ABS system on their vehicle.

Higher resale value. As a feature on a car or truck, an ABS raises the market value of the vehicle. Nowadays, where ABS technology has become standard on many vehicles, not having it could result in a lower price for resale.

Traction control. An ABS shares some of the infrastructure of a traction control system, where new technology helps ensure that each wheel has traction on the road. That makes it easy for manufacturers to install both of these features at the factory.

Disadvantages of Anti-Lock Brakes

Despite the fact that anti-lock brakes are proven to be a safety feature in most situations, and insurers consider them to significantly lower risk for a vehicle, not all drivers are sold on this option for a car or truck. Here are some of the down sides that drivers find in this kind of brake system.

Inconsistent stop times. Anti-lock brakes are made to provide for surer braking in slippery conditions. However, some drivers report that they find stopping distances for regular conditions are lengthened by their ABS, either because there may be errors in the system, or because the clunking or noise of the ABS may contribute to the driver not braking at the same rate.

Expense. An ABS can be expensive to maintain. Expensive sensors on each wheel can cost hundreds of dollars to fix if they get out of calibration or develop other problems. For some, this is a big reason to decline an ABS in a vehicle.

Delicate systems. It's easy to cause a problem in an ABS by messing around with the brakes. Problems include disorientation of the ABS, where a compensating brake sensor causes the vehicle to shudder, make loud noise or generally brake worse.

Nice write up. I'm learning. I drive a 2014 Hilux and I noticed that when I bring the truck to a total stop especially on bad roads, I feel and hear some pulsating movements on the wheels. I know something about ABS but this has widened my knowledge. Thanks

ThiS topic have been discussed before. www.nairaland.com/1484352/abs-nigerian-interpretation-misuse