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Anti-Lock Braking Systems

Daun Thompson — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 07:01:49 +0000

A Brief History of Anti-Lock Braking Systems

The Statue of Liberty is not the only world renowned object designed by the French.

Anti-lock braking systems, also known as ABS, were also designed by the French for aircraft around 1929. Before they put anti-lock braking systems on cars, if the road was slick and you slammed on your brakes, your wheels would lock up and you would skid out of control. So drivers would pump their brakes to create traction in a skid. Anti-lock braking systems pump the brakes for you. That’s what that vibrating and hammering feeling is in the brakes where it feels like the brake is slipping. Now, when you apply your brakes, rather than locking up, they still rotate, but they rotate at intervals. Because the brake is gripping the wheel at intervals, i.e. it is pumping the brake. So, when the road is slick, you no longer need to pump the brake. Rather, you only need to apply steady pressure and hold down the brake, while it gives you a nice, relaxing foot massage.

How Do Anti-Lock Brakes Work?

So, there is no need to pump the brakes anymore. In a car with ABS, the wheels should never lock in the first place, so pumping the brakes will just make you take longer to stop. They prevent wheels from locking up on slippery surfaces. So, all-in-all, better traction and better steering control are the main attributes to ABS. An ABS does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance, but does allow you to keep control of your steering allowing you to have better control over your vehicle.

So, while the Statue of Liberty, French bread, French fries and French toast are all very important contributions to society as well as history, and the French maid is arguably the most noted costume at any party, the Anti-lock braking system is their greatest contribution of them all.

How To Apply Anti-Lock Brakes

Press and hold the brake, you will feel the petal vibrating, don’t pump the brakes, just steer your car to safety.
Keep your tires filled with the proper air pressure and make sure you have adequate tread.
Allow enough space to stop. Use the 3 second rule and if there are bad conditions increase the seconds appropriately.

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GIVE ME A “BRAKE”

Daun Thompson — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:15:14 +0000

Most people (including myself) have very little knowledge of how anti-lock brakes actually work. I say “including myself” here, because most people my age were driving in the days prior to anti-lock brakes in the car. My first car with anti-lock brakes was a 1989 Volvo wagon (I know…yuppie mom…luggage rack and the whole shebang). I remember the first experience I had with the anti-lock brakes. I was backing out of my driveway, which was on a steep incline. My neighbor had parked his truck in front of his house across the street (he never parks there). I was backing down the driveway, just happened to look in my rearview mirror and there was his truck! I slammed on the brakes and just missed his truck by about 3 inches (sigh of relief). Then my brakes started to hammer and vibrate like mad. Next thing you know, bam…bam…I backed right into his truck. I do know that they are a truly an amazing safety feature. But my insurance went up that day. Darned anti-lock brakes! Well, at least now I know how they work.

The anti-lock braking system, although it’s only been in cars since the 70’s, was developed for aircraft use in 1929 by the French. So there are two great things from the French. Anti-lock brakes and Inspector Clouseau. Prior to the system being introduced to the automobile industry, in the past, when you’d slam on your brakes, your wheels would lock up and you’d likely skid. People would pump their brakes so they wouldn’t skid. Now, anti-lock brakes do it for you. It’s a safety system that allows the wheels to continue to rotate (rather than locking up like in the past), but they rotate at intervals, so you don’t create a skid. Giving you better traction, stopping distance, and allowing you to steer while braking (i.e. better steering control). If you think about it, having the ABS take care of the brake part, while you’re taking care of the steering part to avoid a collision is almost like having a co-pilot. This way, your mind can be concentrating on one thing, rather than two things at once in a dangerous situation. ABS works with your regular braking system by automatically pumping them. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver has to manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. In vehicles equipped with ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety. This is where some people get into trouble. They don’t realize that you don’t have to pump the brakes!

If you would like to know the effectiveness of ABS systems, in 2003, an Australian study found that ABS reduced the risk of multiple vehicle crashes by 18 percent and reduced the risk of run-off-road crashes by 35 percent. But remember, they only work if you work them properly. Apply steady pressure and hold down the brake. Don’t pump them! With all of the current safety featured in cars, people take for granted that these features will save their life in a crash. Not if you don’t know how they work and use them properly. Some people take more risks than they normally would have prior to ABS brakes and air bags.

Read your manual. Know how your anti-lock brake system works. Shouldn’t there be a fine for not reading your manual? Hmm…great idea for next week’s blog.

Until next week…drive safe.
Daun Thompson

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TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DRIVER

Daun Thompson — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:34:29 +0000

I read an article claiming that women can’t keep a secret for longer than 32 minutes (or was it 32 seconds…I can’t recall…I was too busy talking). Maybe its just that some of us like to hear ourselves talk. I had a guy about my age in my class who wrote on the teacher evaluation of me “She’s a talker.” What the heck?? I’m supposed to talk. I was teaching! What does he prefer to do? Give him the silent treatment for six hours…like every other girl he knows?? Another kid in the class wrote “She’s funny (looking). The brat!
So I’m a talker and I can’t keep a secret. Oi! At my age, I’d be lucky to remember a secret for longer than 32 minutes (or seconds). So, as far as I am concerned, I had better get to passing that sucker on while it’s still fresh in my head. Actually, did they really mean secret or confession? Offhand, I can’t think of any juicy secrets of my own. But confessions? Now that’s another story. I suppose my biggest secret (or perhaps it’s more of a confession), I haven’t changed my oil since 2008. Another? Whenever there’s a knocking, pinging or grinding sound while I’m driving, I just turn up the radio to drown it out. Voila!
You can’t think of anything to confess? How about this? When was the last time you read that car manual? You know, the one that came with your car. The one in that pristine factory-sealed plastic bag that has never been opened. The only thing in your car that still looks new? If you ask around, a majority of people have never even perused their manual. That’s surprising, since there are some uber important tidbits of information within your car manual. Such as how your ABS (anti-lock brake system) works. How to disengage/engage your air bags. Where that fuse box is located. Where your spare tire is stored, as well as the ever-so-crucial “jack”. Oh well, that’s what roadside assistance is for, eh? There’s usually an 800 number on the back of your drivers license for that. And, in most cases, it’s free (you’re already paying for it with your tax dollars anyway). But don’t drop your AAA or auto insurance roadside assistance. It won’t pay to have you towed when you can’t find that jack!
Until next week…crack open that manual. Take a peek at it. Make a holiday trivia game out of the information within it. And for cying out loud, have a happy holiday.
Daun Thompson

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