What are Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)?
ABS, or the anti-lock brake system, is a core safety feature of most modern vehicles. ABS is a computerized system responsible for preventing lock-ups in your brakes. Lock-ups occur when slamming on the brakes aggressively, as the brakes can stop the wheel’s rotation prior to the vehicle being completely stopped, causing the tires to skid along the road rather than slowing themselves to a stop gradually. Not only can lockups cause major flat spots to develop on the tire’s tread, but they can also prevent you from stopping in time in emergency situations.
Why is ABS Important?
Prior to the development of ABS, drivers were instructed to pump their vehicle’s brakes during hard braking to prevent locking the wheels, sometimes referred to as threshold braking. ABS takes over this responsibility, automating the brake pumping process to provide a smooth and gradual stop even when slamming aggressively on the brake pedal.
ABS is one of the paramount safety features in our vehicles, and issues with the system can land you in some dangerous circumstances. While it may have once been considered a luxury addition in older vehicles, many of us are accustomed to vehicles with ABS and unknowingly rely on it more often than we may think.
How Does ABS Work?
Using a wheel speed sensor, the ABS detects if a wheel has stopped spinning while the vehicle is still in motion. When an impending wheel lock is detected, the hydraulic pressure is reduced, allowing the wheel to continue rotating. In turn, the brakes are pumped on and off at over 20 times a second, releasing the locked-up wheel and allowing both the wheel and vehicle to come to a safe and gradual stop.
In modern vehicles, the ABS is intertwined with various other computerized safety systems, such as the traction control system (TCS), and works in conjunction to provide a smooth and safe driving experience. TCS will increase hydraulic braking pressure for a specific wheel if one wheel is rotating at a higher pace than the others, allowing all four wheels to match speeds once again and preventing that wheel from losing traction.
ABS isn’t perfect, however, and can lead to increased braking distances on loose road surfaces like dirt, gravel, and snow. In these conditions, locked-up wheels will dig into the loose materials and slow the vehicle significantly quicker than gradually stopping the wheels’ rotation in these low-traction conditions. This is why the off-road drive modes in some vehicles will disable ABS when engaged. Despite increasing stopping distance though, ABS/TCS still provides the benefit of helping prevent your vehicle from losing control on slippery roads.
Common ABS System Problems
Although ABS does not need frequent service, there are a few problems that your system may encounter that you should know, including:
Contaminated Wheel Speed Sensor
As the wheel speed sensors sit behind each wheel near ground level, it’s possible for road debris and grime to build up on the surface of the sensor and disrupt the reading, causing malfunctions in your ABS that may impact the performance of your vehicle and lead to warning lights to appear on your dash.
Fortunately, this is a quick fix, as a simple cleaning with a small amount of brake cleaner or dish soap and water solution will likely return the sensor to full operation.
If the issue persists, the problem may lie with a fault in the sensor itself rather than contaminants covering it, and could require replacement. An inspection from a trusted automotive professional will give you an accurate idea of what needs to be fixed in your ABS.
Faulty Wiring
Like any electrical-based system in your vehicle, faulty or damaged wiring can disrupt the operation of your ABS. Whether through corrosion, impact damage, or otherwise, a single damaged wire can cause your anti-lock brake system to fail completely, leaving your vehicle without the ability to maintain a gradual and smooth stop during aggressive or emergency braking.
Malfunctioning ABS Control Module
The ABS control module takes signals from the wheel speed sensors and dictates when the ABS needs to be engaged. This controller is susceptible to the same wear and tear that affects any electrical component and may fail due to old age, corrosion, or external damage from impact or debris.
ABS & Traction Control Services in Carlsbad
If you’re in need of a diagnosis or service for your vehicle’s ABS or TCS, the trusted experts at Carlsbad Auto Service have the training and equipment to properly narrow down the source of your issue and return it to proper operation! Give us a call or schedule online with our friendly team today!