Why does ABS have a shorter braking distance on ice?
3 Answers
The reason why ABS has a shorter braking distance on ice is that ABS is an anti-lock braking function. When the wheels do not rotate during braking, ABS will activate to prevent the vehicle from skidding and overturning. Here is more information about ABS: 1. Function: The function is to automatically control the braking force of the brake during car braking, so that the wheels are not locked and are in a state of rolling and sliding (the slip rate is about 20%), to ensure that the adhesion between the wheels and the ground is at the maximum. 2. Development history: The development of ABS systems can be traced back to the early 20th century. By the late 1970s, the rapid development of digital electronic technology and large-scale integrated circuits laid the technical foundation for the practical development of ABS systems, and many companies successively developed various forms of ABS systems.
I've driven many cars and found that vehicles with ABS are indeed more reliable when braking on icy surfaces. In the past, driving older cars without ABS, the wheels would lock up during emergency braking on ice, causing the car to completely lose control and slide uncontrollably with a significantly longer braking distance. Now, with ABS-equipped cars, the system continuously adjusts the braking force during braking, preventing the wheels from locking up. This keeps the tires in contact with the ice, actually increasing friction and naturally shortening the braking distance. Even though the road is slippery, ABS makes braking more effective and also helps maintain steering control. That's why I recommend choosing a car with ABS for winter driving—it's much safer than without ABS, especially when you need to stop quickly for a sudden pedestrian.
A mechanic once told me that ABS reduces braking distance on ice due to its anti-lock function. Without ABS, wheels tend to lock up when braking on ice, and the sliding friction between tires and ice actually provides very low grip, resulting in longer stopping distances. ABS uses sensors to monitor wheel speed in real-time. When it detects a wheel is about to lock, it reduces brake pressure to keep it rotating, maximizing tire grip through rolling friction. Since ice already has a low friction coefficient, ABS helps utilize the limited friction for optimal braking performance. So don't assume ABS is useless on ice – while maintaining vehicle stability, it genuinely shortens stopping distances.
