One of the most dangerous situations a driver may encounter on the road is having to quickly stop a vehicle on a wet or icy road. This is because instead of making contact with the road and gaining traction, the vehicle’s tires slide across the surface of the road. Since the late 70’s, auto manufacturers have been perfecting vehicles with ABS to provide drivers with better vehicle control.

ABS stands for Antilock Braking System. This safety feature prevents wheels from locking up and skidding during emergency braking. Antilock braking systems automatically pump the brakes up to 20 times per second, enabling drivers to keep control of the vehicle during an unanticipated responsive braking maneuver.

Before the wide spread deployment of ABS technology, drivers were taught to manually pump the brakes in an attempt to prevent skidding. The sophisticated antilock brake systems do a quicker and more precise job of pumping the brakes than any human would be capable of doing.

Antilock brakes have a unique and highly distinguishable feel when the system is activated. A quick pulsating can be felt through the pedal, which may feel alarming at first. It is important for the driver to keep firm pressure on the brake pedal while in a skid and the system is in action.

ABS is now widely considered a standard feature in newly manufactured vehicles. Most antilock brake systems do not require special maintenance, beyond normal inspections and brake fluid checks. Since brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, changing your brake fluid as recommended by the manufacturer is necessary to prevent internal corrosion in the system.  This maintenance will prolong the life of your ABS components and minimize the risk of failure.

Raben Tire is your source for brake service, including maintenance of your antilock braking system. If you are in need of a scheduled inspection or suspect you may have brake problems, give us a call.