How car ABS (Anti-lock Breaking System) works-ABS working principle

 At First introduction of our Blog you will know in this post 

1.     What is ABS?

2.     How do ABS system works?

3.     How do you know if your car have ABS?

4.     What might cause the ABS light to came on?

5.     how do you know your car have ABS or non ABS?

6.     Is it safe to drive a car with ABS light on?

What is ABS?

ABS is a vital part of any new car’s safety equipment, and is an effective boost for braking. Here’s everything you need to know,

·        The introduction of ABS – the anti-lock brake system, to give it its full name – was one of the most important developments in new car safety.

·        What ABS does is prevent the wheels locking-up, meaning you still have some control of the car.

·         It also means the wheels will continue to rotate, and the car can move in whatever direction they’re facing.

·        In simple terms, ABS uses electronics to detect and prevent wheel lock up. This helps a driver maintain control of a vehicle when braking in low grip situations, because a car’s steering will still work when ABS is engaged. ABS gradually appeared as a safety feature on new cars from the 1970s onwards, while EU law has made it compulsory fitment on all  

                                                         i.    ABS can stop your brakes from locking.

                                                        ii.    ABS isn’t designed to shorten stopping distances.

                                                       iii.    Having ABS should reduce your chances of skidding.

                                                      iv.    The ABS system isn’t as effective on surfaces like mud, snow or       gravel.

b.    Cars with anti-lock braking are less likely to be involved in a crash.

c.    If your ABS light stays on while you’re driving, go to the garage.

How do anti-lock braking systems work?

The anti-lock braking system is part of the car’s   Electronic Stability Program  (ESP).

The ESP also helps prevent problems such as oversteer or understeer and is linked to the engine control unit (ECU), which is effectively the car’s brain.

The ABS constantly monitor each sensors of the car’s wheels.

If it detects a sudden and significant pressure on the brakes, the ABS immediately relaxes the brakes to stop the wheels from locking.

This series of computer-controlled actions prevents the car from skidding, ensuring the driver retails control of the vehicle.

How effective are anti-lock brakes?

It doesn’t take a genius to conclude that if the aviation industry and car manufacturers swear by ABS, it’s probably a good thing. The fact that it’s a mandatory feature on all new cars sold indicates the faith the government and other regulators have in the system.

Here are 4 benefits of anti-lock braking systems:

     1.     Cars fitted with ABS are less likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

2.    ABS decreases the chance of frontal collision on wet and dry roads.

3.    Cars with ABS rarely stray from the road ahead.

4.   In an emergency, a car with ABS tends to stop in a far shorter distance than one would without ABS.

Problems with ABS

Anti-lock braking systems work best on clean surfaces, such as a typical tarmac road. They tend to be less effective on surfaces that have loose gravel, mud or snow, which is worth remembering when Driving in Winter.

This is because the ABS system may interpret data from the sensors incorrectly and not respond in the best way. In these cases your braking or stopping distance is likely to be lengthened.

So, in answer to the commonly-asked question ‘does ABS work on ice?’, the answer is ‘not to an extent that you would want to rely on it alone’.

Incidentally, the issue of loose or slippery road surfaces explains why off-road vehicles tend to switch off the ABS.

A locked wheel is likely to dig in to the road surface, effectively anchoring itself, when being raced off-road.

Will ABS reduce the braking distance in an emergency stop?

It’s a common misconception that ABS helps reducing stopping distance.

That’s not what it’s designed to do. Instead, it lowers the chance of skidding even when undertaking excessive evasive manoeuvres.

Part 120 of  The Highway Code says of braking distances:

“The ABS should ensure that steering control will be retained, but do not assume that a vehicle with ABS will stop in a shorter distance.”

If anything, the intermittent application and relaxing of the brakes could actually increase the braking distance.

This makes keeping your distance from vehicles in front and obeying the speed limit so important.

How do you know if your car has ABS?

The most straightforward way to tell if your car has ABS installed is to turn the key in the ignition until all the Dashboard lights illuminate.

If there’s a light with ‘ABS’ printed in the middle, you have anti-lock brakes fitted.

Is it safe to drive a car with ABS light on?

When you start your car’s ignition the ABS light will come on while it checks whether the system is working okay.

The light should then switch off. If it remains on, the ABS is not working correctly.

If you’re driving when the light comes on you can continue to your destination, but perhaps with a little more caution as the system won’t react if you brake hard.

Should the brake warning light also come on you need to stop as soon as it is safe to do so and call a  your mechanic

What might cause the ABS light to come on?

1.  Malfunctioning ABS Module

2.  Low Levels in the Fluid Reservoir

3.  Broken Wheel Speed Sensors

4.    Your System is Turned Off