ABS has become standard equipment on the majority of today’s vehicles….
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a critical safety feature designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicle during hard or emergency braking. ABS prevents the wheels from locking up by rapidly modulating brake pressure when sudden braking is detected. This allows the driver to steer while braking, reducing the risk of skidding and loss of control, especially on slippery or uneven road surfaces such as wet pavement, snow, or gravel.
ABS works through a network of wheel speed sensors, hydraulic valves, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that continuously monitors wheel rotation. When the system detects that a wheel is about to lock, it automatically adjusts brake pressure multiple times per second to maintain optimal traction. While ABS does not necessarily shorten stopping distances in all conditions, it significantly improves vehicle stability and steering control during braking.
Today, ABS is standard equipment on most modern vehicles and serves as the foundation for advanced safety systems such as traction control and electronic stability control. Proper maintenance of the ABS system is essential to ensure reliable braking performance and overall vehicle safety.
This process repeats many times per second until the vehicle stops or you lift your foot off the brake pedal. The ABS computer does a power-on self test every time you cycle the ignition. If it finds it’s lacking data, or a hydraulic pump or valve isn’t responding, it illuminates the ABS warning light on the dash.
