What does the ABS system mean?

[Luca]

ABS system stands for Anti-lock Braking System. Below are relevant introductions about the ABS system: Advantages of the ABS system: When the wheel is about to reach the next lock-up point, the pressure of the brake fluid causes the airbag to act repeatedly, which can occur 60-120 times per second, equivalent to continuously braking and releasing, similar to mechanical intermittent braking. Therefore, the ABS Anti-lock Braking System can prevent loss of directional control and wheel skidding during emergency braking, ensuring that the wheels are not locked during braking. It prevents the tires from rubbing against the ground at a single point, thereby increasing friction and achieving a braking efficiency of over 90%. Characteristics of the ABS system: The Anti-lock Braking System can improve the safety factor of a vehicle during emergency braking. In other words, cars without ABS are prone to wheel lock-up when emergency braking is applied in critical situations, meaning the steering wheel cannot be turned, which increases the danger coefficient and can easily lead to severe consequences.

[VanSerenity]

I've been driving heavy trucks for over 20 years, and ABS has literally saved my life. That winter when I was hauling cargo on mountain roads, a wild dog suddenly darted out. I slammed on the brakes hard, and the steering wheel shook violently, but the truck didn't skid at all. This anti-lock braking system, to put it simply, prevents the wheels from completely locking up when braking. With regular brakes, if you stomp hard, the tires lock up completely, and on icy or gravel roads, the vehicle would definitely spin out. ABS relies on sensors on the wheels to detect if a wheel is about to lock up, then quickly applies and releases the brakes—like a person pumping the brakes rapidly, except it can do this over ten times a second. The most valuable aspect of this system is that it allows the driver to steer while braking hard to avoid obstacles. Once during heavy rain, I was about to rear-end another vehicle, but I managed to steer around it while braking. However, I should remind beginners that when ABS activates, you'll feel a clicking sound and pedal feedback under your foot—don't panic, just keep pressing the brake pedal firmly.

[BellaMarie]

When learning to drive, the instructor mentioned that ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. You can think of it as an intelligent brake assist. With traditional brakes, if you press too hard, the wheels can lock up and skid like a brick on ice. But in a car equipped with ABS, when you slam on the brakes, the system monitors the speed of each wheel via wheel speed sensors. If it detects a wheel about to stop rotating, it quickly reduces the brake pressure on that wheel to keep it turning. The whole process is like an invisible hand helping you pump the brakes rapidly, preventing the tires from fully locking. This is especially useful in rainy or snowy conditions. Last winter when I drove to go skiing, I distinctly felt the brakes pulsating under my feet on icy, slippery roads, yet the car remained stable. Here’s a lesser-known tip: during emergency braking, remember to press the pedal firmly with full force—don’t use the old-fashioned pumping method taught in driving school.

[Lewis]

From a technical perspective, ABS is essentially a closed-loop control system. Its core components include four wheel speed sensors, a hydraulic control unit, and an electronic control module (ECU). When the driver applies heavy braking, the ECU reads wheel speed data at a frequency exceeding 20 times per second. If a wheel's deceleration exceeds the threshold, the ECU determines that the wheel is tending to lock up. At this point, solenoid valves quickly intervene: the pressure reduction valve releases wheel cylinder pressure → the pressure holding valve maintains pressure → the pressure increase valve restores pressure, continuously adjusting pressure to keep the wheel slip ratio within the optimal range of 15%-20%. Interestingly, Bosch's first-generation ABS system mass-produced in 1978 weighed 6.2 kg, while today's systems weigh less than 1.5 kg. It's important to note that wheel speed sensors covered in mud may cause ABS failure, so remember to rinse the sensor locations on the chassis when washing the car.

[StBenjamin]

After having kids, I became particularly concerned about the safety features of my car. A child safety seat is a must, and ABS is even more essential. The manual describes this system as an anti-lock braking function, but I see it more as a lifesaver. If you watch those videos of cars skidding out of control, nine times out of ten, it's because the wheels locked up during hard braking. The brilliance of ABS is that it keeps the tires rotating while braking, much like how a gymnast bends their knees to cushion a landing. Last week, while picking up my kid from school, the car in front suddenly stopped, and I slammed on the brakes. With the pedal pulsing under my foot, the car came to a steady halt. But a word of caution to all moms: having ABS doesn’t mean shorter braking distances. On icy or snowy roads, winter tires are still necessary, and don’t pile snacks and toys too high in the backseat, as they can block the rear window view.