What does Anti-lock Braking System mean?
2 Answers
Anti-lock Braking System refers to automatically controlling the braking force during vehicle braking to prevent wheel lock-up, maintaining a state of rolling and sliding (with a slip ratio of about 20%), ensuring maximum adhesion between the wheels and the road surface. The abbreviation for Anti-lock Braking System is ABS. The anti-lock braking system can improve the safety factor of emergency braking while driving. Vehicles without an anti-lock braking system are prone to wheel lock-up when emergency braking is applied in critical situations, making the steering wheel non-responsive, thereby increasing the risk factor and potentially leading to severe consequences.
The anti-lock braking system, also known as ABS, might sound complicated, but essentially it makes your brakes smarter. Having driven a taxi for over 20 years, I remember the days without ABS when sudden braking on rainy days often led to skidding and loss of control, with the steering wheel becoming unresponsive. With ABS, the computer monitors wheel speed and automatically pumps the brakes dozens of times if it detects impending lock-up, allowing the tires to keep rolling and preventing the car from fishtailing. I recall one heavy rainstorm when a pedestrian suddenly darted out in front of me – I slammed on the brakes, felt the pedal pulsating underfoot, and the car came to a stable stop without skidding. This system has now become standard equipment and can truly be life-saving. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, especially on wet roads, as ABS gives you that crucial steering control in emergency situations.
