How Do You Activate the Anti-Lock Brake System
Driving on a slippery road can be very dangerous especially as a newbie driver. Thankfully, since the emergence of the Anti-braking System (ABS), there's hope for safe driving. ABS has taken the place where people have to pump their brake pedals to avoid skidding.
This is the function of an anti braking system. An anti braking system plays a vital role in an engine braking system.
It is installed in modern cars and makes driving a lot safer. A lot of people have heard of it and some even have it but don't know how it works or how to activate it. You’ve probably heard of it, but do you know exactly what ABS is and how it works?
Find out how your car’s ABS improves your driving and what to do if there’s a problem with your brakes.
What is an Anti-Lock Braking System?
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a device that prevents wheels from locking up and also helps maintain grip on the road. Braking on slippery roads can be difficult but the ABS has helped to curb such occurrences.
Components of Anti-lock Braking System
Here are some components of the antilock braking system:
Speed Sensors: The speed sensor is an encoder that helps to speed the wheel. It works with a magnetic sensor that builds a magnetic field around the sensor when the wheel rotates. The magnetic field then generates a voltage in the sensor. When the rotation reduces, the sensor produces inaccurate results.
Valves: The valve has three angles. The first position allows pressure from the cylinder into the brake. The second angle is where the valve blocks the line that separates the brake from the master cylinder.
The valve releases some pressure from the brake in the third position. The only problem associated with the valve is clogging.
Controller: The controller is what receives the signal when the wheel loses traction. It functions as the ECU device by receiving information from the wheel speed sensor.
The controller lowers the brake force and triggers the ABS modulator, which detects whether the braking valve is on/off.
The controller is responsible for reducing the speed of the wheels that are out of the ordinary. This happens before the wheels lock up, if it doesn't happen, the wheel stop will be much quicker.
Pump: This is the system that resorts the pressure back to the hydraulic brake when the valve releases it. It gives signals that launch the valves when the slip is detected in the wheel.
When the driver applies pressure on the brake, the valve releases the pressure and the pump restores the required amount of pressure to the braking system.
How to Activate Your ABS
The anti-lock braking system helps to pulse the brakes so that they don't lock up. If the brake doesn't lock up, you are able to control the steering wheel better.
It activates when the dirover pumps the brake first, when the diver does this, the brake pad will feel the brake pad drop suddenly followed by a rapid pulse sensation.
During this activation, you might hear a grinding or buzzing noise coming from the vehicle. You will also feel like the brake pedal is pulling back. Anti-lock brake sensors are typically magnetically triggered.
As the reluctor's teeth pass the sensor, the normal pulsing rhythm of wheel motion indicates normal operation. It is when the reluctor speed across the sensor changes dramatically (wheels slow down or stop) that the ABS will pulse brake application.
How to Tell if Your Vehicles ABS Is Working
The only time to notice that your ABS is working is during hard braking, it is only hard braking that activates the system, when the ABS is working, you will notice a difference with how the brake feels. The brake may vibrate or push back against your feet.
In some cases, the pedal will drop to the floor. You can also hear a grinding sound when you apply pressure to the brake, this is also a clear sign that your ABS is functioning properly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs:)
1. Should I pump the brake pedal when stopping in slippery conditions?
No, you should not pump the brake pedal in a car with ABS. a car with ABS wheels will never lock so pumping the brake will make it take a longer time for the brake to stop. When in an emergency and need to apply the ABS, apply and hold the brake pedal firmly and let the ABS do the work. You may feel a push in the pedal, but that's normal.
2. Do anti-lock brakes really work?
Certainly, anti-brake helps to stop the car faster. ABS helps to protect the wheels from locking fast and provides the best stopping time on short distances.
3. What causes ABS to activate?
Anti-lock brake sensors are typically magnetically triggered. As the reluctor's teeth pass the sensor, the normal pulsing rhythm of wheel motion indicates normal operation.
4. At what speed does ABS activate?
The ABS activates at a speed above 30kph. That's because many ABS systems shut off when the vehicle hits below 10 kph. Also, at this speed, you will need lots of speed to feel it working.
5. Why is ABS light on but no code?
The ABS light shows a no error code when the ABS wiring sensor wiring is not right,, if the one wheel bearing is bad, if the tires need alignment or the tires are torn or if one f the ABS sensor has a recurring fault
Wrap Up!
The ABS enhances the control of a car, thus reducing any rapid deceleration of the car. A rapid car deceleration occurs when the wheel wants to slip.
Activating your ABS is easy as you will experience a pulsing in the brake when it occurs, which is due to the opening and closing of the valve. This push is also an indicator that your ABS is functioning.
