A critical safety element that is now standard in all modern vehicles is the anti-lock braking system, or ABS. The ABS is frequently marketed as an efficient breaking mechanism that significantly reduces accident risk by facilitating a good grip over the vehicle. We go over everything you need to know about ABS, including its advantages, how it works, and the several kinds you can find in modern vehicles.
What exactly is "anti-lock braking"?
The name of the technology suggests that when you apply the brakes, ABS keeps the wheels from locking. It shortens the distance you need to stop and lets you move or "steer" the car while the brakes are still on. This way, you can avoid collisions from sudden braking and crash into fellow vehicles or objects.
What is the purpose of ABS?
Irrespective of the car's speed, when you press the brake pedal (without ABS), the wheels lock up because the brake pads make tight contact with the wheel discs and stop the wheels from turning.
The car skids because of its momentum when the wheels stop rotating. As a result, the driver has no control over the wheels. Most frequently, this can result in severe accidents.
What are the main components of ABS?
Speed sensors, valves, a pump, and an ECU comprise most ABS parts.
Speed sensors:
These sensors are important to keep track of the wheels' speed.
Valves:
In the brake line, some valves regulate the pressure on the brakes.
Pumps:
When brakes are used, hydraulic fluid-filled pumps pressure the brake callipers or drums.
Electronic Control Unit (ECU):
In response to the signals from the speed sensors, the ECU acts as the command centre of all the processing.
How is ABS used?
When you use the brakes on a car with ABS, the speed sensors track how slowly the wheels turn. Brakes deliver a signal to the electric control unit when they are about to stop rotating. Using valves and pumps, the ECU removes some of the brake pads from the wheels, allowing them to continue spinning. When you apply heavy brakes, ABS enables the wheels to continue turning, giving you control over the car.
Without ABS, when you hit the brakes, the wheels would stop or lock up immediately, causing the car to slide. In this situation, the vehicle would skid and travel a fair distance. It would be challenging to turn your vehicle because the wheels were locked. ABS helps you slow down efficiently, deploy uniform braking, and quickly control your car and avoid it from spinning.
ABS benefits:
● Uneven tyre wear is avoided because the wheels don't lock up when the automobile is stopped.
● The Traction Control System (TCS) and ABS share specific fundamental architectures, which facilitate TCS installation on vehicles in manufacturing facilities.
● You may steer the automobile around obstacles when braking hard, which can reduce brake pad and brake disc wear.
● Minimises the risk of severe accidents due to sudden braking and enhances the car's stability post-braking.
When the brakes are applied hard at high speeds, ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, which makes it much less likely that a deadly accident will happen. The effectiveness of the anti-lock braking system has been demonstrated everywhere. Anti-lock brake systems are now so critical to safety that the Indian government has made them a requirement.
Safety is paramount, and braking is a crucial part of vehicle safety. It's also a good idea to get online motor insurance to upgrade the security of the vehicle and the owner. Motor insurance covers car owners' liabilities and protects them from damage to their cars and any legal obligations they may face. Browse through different options and opt for online motor insurance with the best premium and benefits that suit your needs.
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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.