Have you ever suddenly had to slam on your brakes? Let’s face it, we’ve all had it happen, that stop light turns red out of nowhere, another driver isn’t paying attention and turns in front of us, a child runs in the street to grab their ball, or something else. When you hit (or “slammed on”) your brakes did you feel a strange pulsing and vibrating? Rest easy, that is completely normal and just your anti-lock brake system (ABS) kicking in.
We are going to take a deeper look into this type of braking system and review the benefits of anti-lock brakes and why they are standard in newer vehicles.
What is an Anti-Lock Braking System?
Before we review the benefits of anti-lock brakes, we first need to review what this type of braking system is and why it has become increasingly common as a standard safety feature in newer vehicles. Let’s get to it.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are a safety feature in automobiles that prevent the wheels from locking up during braking, which can cause the car to skid and lose control. ABS works by detecting when a wheel is about to lock up and rapidly pulsing the brake pressure on that wheel, allowing it to maintain traction and steerability. This process is repeated many times per second until the vehicle comes to a stop. ABS can help reduce the stopping distance of a vehicle, especially on wet or slippery roads, and can assist the driver with maintaining control during emergency maneuvers.
Today, new cars come with ABS as standard equipment. In fact, for nearly a decade, the federal government, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has required that all new passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks sold in the United States have anti-lock brakes (ABS) as a standard safety feature. It is important to note that not all vehicles may have ABS, particularly older models. It’s always a good idea to check the specifications of a vehicle or consult with a dealership or mechanic to confirm whether a specific vehicle has ABS or not.
Benefits of Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Obviously there are benefits of anti-lock brakes if they are required on new vehicles, so what are they? We review below.
- Increased Safety: Let’s start with the main benefit of anti-lock brakes, safety. ABS prevents the wheels from locking up, which can cause the vehicle to skid and lose control. This helps to prevent accidents and keeps the driver and passengers safe.
- Improved Braking Performance and Stopping Power: ABS can help to reduce the stopping distance of a vehicle, especially on slippery or wet roads. This means that the driver can stop the vehicle more quickly and safely, which can be crucial in emergency situations.
- Enhanced Steering Control: When the wheels lock up during braking, the driver loses steering control. Anti-lock brakes help to maintain steering control during hard braking, allowing the driver to steer around obstacles and avoid collisions.
- Better Traction: ABS helps to maintain traction between the tires and the road surface. This means that the vehicle can accelerate more smoothly and safely, especially on slippery or loose surfaces.
- Peace of Mind: To many, one of the main benefits of anti-lock brakes is the peace of mind they have from knowing that their vehicle is a equipped with this advanced safety braking system.
We have reviewed some of the benefits of anti-lock brakes above, but let’s not forget about their monetary advantages as well. Many insurance companies offer premium discounts when your vehicle is fitted with ABS and the resale value on a vehicle is higher with ABS included.
Overall, ABS is an important safety feature that can help to prevent accidents, improve braking performance, and keep the driver and passengers safe.
At Advanced Transmission & Emissions, while we specialize in Phoenix transmissions, we also offer other automotive repair services. If you have any issues with your vehicle, including the brakes, you can count on us to help you resolve the issue and get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Schedule an appointment today.
