The anti-lock braking system is a safety feature in a car which uses electronics to detect and prevent the wheels of the car from locking, which in turn helps the driver to keep control when using the brakes in situations where there isn’t much grip on the road or the usual brake pads and disks won’t be sufficient enough.
Usually, when you press the brake pedal down, the car’s brake pads close down on a disk which is mounted to each wheel of the car, and pressing the brakes gently will allow the car to come to a complete and safe stop. However, sometimes there are situations where you’ll need to bring the car to a stop much quicker, such as an emergency stop. In this situation, you’d apply the brakes very quickly which increases the chances of the wheels to lock. This is when the wheels stop turning and can end up skidding very dangerously – the stopping distance increases and steering is far more difficult, giving you less control, thus increasing the chances of an accident.
However, if your car is fitted with ABS, it will prevent all of the pressure being applied to the disks at once by rapidly pumping the brakes for you as long as you keep pressure on the brake pedal, allowing the car to slow down quickly and safely. It also helps keep all four wheels turn and slow down at the same speed at the same time, while still allowing the driver to steer.
Do all cars have ABS?
Although the modern ABS we know today has been around since the 1970s, it was only made a requirement by law in the UK in 2004. This means that if your car is newer than 2004, it will have ABS fitted as a legal requirement. However, if your car was made before 2004, you may not have it installed.
The best way to find out if a car has ABS is to turn the key in the ignition and see if the amber ABS light appears on the dashboard. If you still don’t know, you can check the vehicle’s manual. The amber ABS light will only stay on for a short period of time and will only show again if the ABS is activated. If the light stays on, there is a fault and you should seek expert mechanical advice to fix the problem.
What should I do if I don’t have a vehicle with ABS?
If you have an older car without ABS, you will need to be prepared to pump the brake manually and rapidly should you sense the car going into a skid. You can read about the emergency stop to understand how to control skidding.
Using ABS in the snow and ice
The ABS will help you bring the car to a safe stop if you are driving on ice. However, it could be slightly different in the snow – where the ABS isn’t as effective. In the snow, it is better to gently apply the brake instead.
