Understanding Your Car : Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Braking is one of the most important elements of driving. The brakes of a car enable a driver to have control over his/her car by reducing the speed. A slower speed allows for greater control of the car, hence enabling the driver to make a turn, maneuver in traffic, park the car, etc. When a car is in motion it has a lot of kinetic energy. When car tires are in contact with the road surface friction is generated, this friction is very important to determine both maximum speed and minimum stopping distance of a car. In order to reduce the speed of a car or bring it to a complete stop, the brakes use friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. Cars are driven on a variety of surface conditions – dry, snow, wet/slippery, etc. Most car drivers are sure to have experienced an emergency or sudden braking situations while driving on a highway, slippery surface or even in the city conditions. When a car is at speed and brakes are applied the wheels tend to lock up, this is where ABS comes in to save the day!

  The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is a safety feature and a very crucial component of a car’s braking system. ABS is an electronics assisted safety feature which prevents the car wheels from locking up under braking conditions. ABS was invented in 1929 by French aviation pioneer Gabriel Voisin for application in planes. When wheels of a car lock-up under braking conditions the car loses grip and slips. ABS works on all driving surfaces and is often the most important under slippery conditions. When driving under slippery conditions the car tires are most vulnerable as they have the least available grip. ABS comes in very handy and provides for safety to the driver and co-passengers, car and other vehicles on the road. ABS is based on the principles of cadence braking and threshold braking. Both cadence, threshold braking are techniques derived from motorsport. Cadence braking allows a driver to safely perform a turn while applying optimum braking force. Threshold braking, on the other hand, is also called limit braking or pump braking. In this technique, a driver pumps the brake repeatedly to slow down the car to the desired limit. The ABS system prevents the wheels of a car from locking up while braking and allows the driver to steer the car while in an emergency braking situation. An ABS system is made up of 4 primary components – sensors, electronic control unit (ECU), valves and a hydraulic control unit (HCU). The sensors attached to the wheels of the car detect skidding and monitor the speed of each wheel. When the sensors detect that the wheels are locking up, the sensors automatically apply and release the brakes to prevent the wheels from skidding and allowing for safe steering. With the help of electronic, hydraulic systems ABS can apply and releasing brakes at a much quicker rate than what a human would be able to. While braking under emergency situations it is very important for the driver to keep the brake pedal firmly pressed then steer the car to safety. In case you are driving a car, which is not equipped with ABS – it is very important to keep on pumping the brakes repeatedly if your car begins to skid. For an ABS system to work effectively it is very important that the car tires are in good condition (they should not be worn out) and are properly inflated.

   With the advancements in technology and their application in cars, the modern car is becoming safer with each passing day. Car manufacturers are constantly vying to showcase and provide cutting edge technology to customers who wish to buy their cars. It should be noted that ABS is one of the earliest electronically assisted safety systems to be used in a car, yet it continues to be one of the most basic and important safety systems in a car. ABS works behind the scenes, continuously working in the shadows to ensure the driver, passengers, the car and surrounding vehicles are safe at all times!