| Antilock brake system (ABS) is an effective car | | | | slippery and icy roads and once the wheels are locked |
| safety measure fitted in most of the new cars on | | | | it becomes too difficult to steer. ABS works more |
| Indian roads. This brake system is the latest innovation | | | | effectively on such roads. It is much easier to maintain |
| in car safety technologies and is highly rated among | | | | steering and directional control because the brake |
| other car safety features like traction control, child | | | | automatically pumps pressure to prevent wheel locking |
| safety tethers, audible warning devices, crumple zones, | | | | and skidding. |
| safety belts, head restraints, and so on. | | | | Driving with ABS |
| Â | | | | Â |
| Today most of the new cars are equipped with | | | | · Don't pump the brakes. It works |
| anti-lock brakes but still the drivers are not aware of | | | | automatically as soon as the driver firmly lays his foot |
| the driving tips and techniques to operate an ABS | | | | on the brake pedal. Pumping hinders the dynamics of |
| system. The first antilock braking system was | | | | the anti lock brakes. |
| introduced in the year 1936. | | | | · Maintain steering control because these |
| Â | | | | brakes can only prevent wheel locking up and skidding. |
| Anti-lock braking system helps in preventing wheel | | | | They cannot compensate for steering maneuvers, |
| locking up and skidding during emergencies and panic | | | | driving faster and maintaining unsafe distances. |
| braking. Lack of awareness on how to use the brakes | | | | · Don't get panic with the noise and |
| can reduce the effectiveness. It is essential to learn | | | | vibration when applying anti lock brakes because this |
| how to operate the anti-lock brakes to increase | | | | sound and feel guarantees the working of the brakes. |
| effectiveness as well as safety and performance. | | | | · Avoid pumping the brakes as they will |
| Â | | | | automatically start pumping. Driver just needs to lay his |
| In the past when ABS was not introduced, drivers | | | | foot firmly on the brake pedal. |
| used to pump brakes to prevent skidding but this | | | | · Practice driving with ABS in empty places |
| technique of pumping will actually hinder the working of | | | | and parking lots. |
| ABS equipped vehicles. | | | | · There is a difference in driving when |
| ABS vs. non-ABS | | | | driving with four wheels ABS and rear wheel ABS. |
| ABS helps in preventing wheel locking up during panic | | | | Four wheel ABS in placed on passenger cars to |
| stop or emergency situations. The system comprises | | | | maintain steering control and rear wheel ABS is placed |
| of sensors that are placed near each wheel to | | | | on light trucks to maintain directional control. Rear |
| regulate the speed and determine when the wheels | | | | wheel ABS may result in locking up of front wheels. |
| are about to lock. This prevents skidding. | | | | · When driving with rear wheels ABS, |
| The advantages of ABS are much more as | | | | ease the brake pressure to allow front wheels to roll. |
| compared to conventional non-ABS system. With | | | | Then reapply pressure or pump brake to avoid front |
| non-ABS system, it is difficult to maintain steering | | | | wheels lock up. |
| control over obstacles. Wheels tend to lock up on | | | | Allow safe distance to stop the car. |