What Does ABS Mean on a Car?

What does ABS mean on a car? An anti-lock brake system, or ABS, keeps your wheels from locking during extreme braking. In an emergency, this safety feature helps you maintain control of your car. But do all cars have ABS? Read on to learn the history and working principles of ABS.

The History of ABS

ABS technology first emerged in the 1920s when aircraft engineers sought to apply automatic override braking to their planes. Notably, ABS was designed to prevent aircraft wheels from locking during sudden deceleration.

By the 1950s, the technology appeared on motorcycles, and by the 1960s, it had migrated to high-end cars. It wasn’t until the 1990s when ABS, along with traction control systems, became a common option on many car models. In 2013, ABS was federally mandated, and all new passenger vehicles were required to include ABS.

How do you know if your vehicle has ABS? If your car was built during the 2013 model year or later, then it does. If your car was manufactured prior to 2013, consult your owner’s manual.

How Does ABS Work?

An ABS uses an array of valves and pumps as well as sensors mounted on each wheel to control tire grip and monitor brake pressure during hard braking. Here’s an example of a practical application of an ABS:

• You’re driving on a two-lane road in moderate traffic with sufficient space between you and the car in front of you.
• Suddenly, traffic comes to a halt, and you’re forced to slam on the brakes. In cars without ABS, the brakes would likely lock, causing you to lose control of the vehicle and possibly resulting in an accident.
• With ABS, the system automatically pumps the brakes hundreds of times per second as long as your foot remains on the brake pedal.
• This prevents you from skidding and often brings the vehicle to a full and safe stop.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ABS

An ABS is intended to bring your vehicle to a quick stop, not only on dry roads but also on slippery ones, including those with ice. Cars equipped with ABS benefit from lower insurance costs and higher resale value. Insurers embrace them and consumers value the technology.

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages of ABS. For example, they add cost to a new vehicle and are expensive to maintain. Each sensor costs hundreds of dollars to fix if it falls out of calibration. Other disadvantages include longer braking lengths under certain circumstances. Also, a clunking accompanies hard braking and ABS activation, and this could cause the driver to release the brake before the vehicle stops.

Your Safety and Ours

ABS prevents accidents and saves lives. However, like other vehicle safety technologies, it’s no substitute for defensive and alert driving. Try activating your ABS in an empty lot so you can see firsthand how it functions and appreciate how well it performs.

Check out all the brake system products available on NAPA Online, or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on anti-lock brake systems, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Source: NAPA Know How