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Tips for CHEAPER |
Also known as ABS, this article will only give a brief
overview of how it works
We will not go into too much details and will not use technical jargon.
In order the understand how ABS works, you need to understand
how your cars brakes
actually function, read the article How do
brakes work.
Contrary to popular belief ABS brakes will not stop your car
faster.
It will however, stop the wheels of the car locking up.
If your wheels lock during heavy braking and you start to
skid, your stopping distance will be
more than if you had braked less aggressively and did not skid.
ABS braking will let you press on the brakes hard but will stop the wheels from locking up.
Also if you prevent skidding, your steering control will not
be affected meaning that you have more
chance of steering out of danger.
ABS works alongside your normal braking system. SO if your ABS
fails, you will still have normal brakes.
An ABS failure will normally trigger an amber light on your dashboard (check
your owners manual).
How is it done
The ABS system is typically made of the following parts ;
1. Front and rear Anti-lock sensors.
There is one situated at each wheel to sense when the wheel is about to lock.
2. Anti-lock brake control module (controller)
This is the computer controller for the system. It gives the instructions to the
HCU.
3. Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU).
Made up of valves and a pump. The computer switches the valves to adjust brake
pressure
to locking wheels. The pump is there to reapply the brake pressure
The ABS system is constantly monitoring the speed of each wheel.
In order for the ABS to provide maximum braking power, the
controller will keep the wheels very close to the point of locking up.
It does this by switching on and off the brake pressure to each wheel
individually many times per second.
The controller tells the valves in the HCU to open and close, thus removing and
reapplying brake pressure.
Each wheel is monitored individually so if one wheel hits a
slippery spot on the road whilst braking heavily, only that
wheel will be affected by the ABS system and all the other wheels will brake
normally.
When you press on the brake hard and the ABS begins to work,
you will feel the brake pedal pulsing rapidly
as the cars electronics adjust the force being applied to the brakes. There may
also be a scrapping or buzzing
sound, just continue to brake firmly and the ABS will assist you.
See other articles ;
1. How do brakes work
2. How to bleed your brakes