Why ABS is important in your car?

Why ABS is important in your car?

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System and is a clever tool that assists in stopping your car.

ABS proves crucial in emergencies when heavy braking takes place, and can prove particularly helpful when road conditions are tricky, especially in the rain or winter.

Many drivers would have experienced an ABS system kicking in during their time on the road, but a significant amount are unaware of what it actually does.

ABS kicks in under heavy braking and gives the driver better control over the car by keeping the rotation of the wheels consistent, allowing the car to slow down or stop in a safe way. As ABS allows you to maintain control of the car during heavy braking, you're able to steer away from and avoid hazards in the road.

Without ABS, your car's tyres would experience what's known as 'locking up'. This is where your brakes will stop your wheel from rotating together, causing them to skid across the road's surface. A wheel lock up can be dangerous as it causes the driver to lose control of the car's steering, which can lead to accidents and collisions, and also damage the tyres by causing a flat spot.

An ABS system works by using sensors to calculate each individual wheel's rotation speed. If the sensors detect one or multiple wheels are rotating at different speeds, it will activate the ABS system to level this out by reducing the brake pressure for that particular Wheel.

The sensors are sensitive enough to register small changes in rotating speeds and can make multiple adjustments every second. If your wheels begin to lock again after the ABS has activated, the ABS will step back in to adjust rotating speeds once more.

When the ABS system is activated during heavy braking, it may trigger an indicator on your dashboard to let you know it's in operation. It will only be temporary, though, and you may see it flickering as the ABS activates and deactivates itself during braking.

If your ABS warning light stays on after your car has started up, you'll need to get it looked at. It could be for a variety of reasons.

Here are some examples:

• Damaged or dirty ABS sensors
•  Issues with wires and electronics
• A blown or damaged fuse
• The system has been turned off

It's a legal requirement for all cars built after 2004 to have ABS fitted, and you may be wondering how you activate it on your car. Upon starting your engine, your ABS system should automatically turn on, and you'll see an ABS light on your dashboard temporarily as it checks itself over.

If you're planning on testing your ABS system, you should only do so when it's safe. This means finding a quiet, straight stretch of road, and only testing it when you're sure there are no cars around.