What Does The Anti-Lock Braking System Do?
Discover what the anti-lock braking system, or ABS, does, why it’s an important safety feature, and where you can go in London, ON for ABS service.
“Where Can I Find Anti-Lock Braking System Service?”
Quarrie’s Tire and Auto is proud to offer a wide variety of braking repair and maintenance services to drivers in the London area. This includes anti-lock braking system service. But how do you know if your ABS needs service and how do we repair and maintain it?
What Is The Anti-Lock Braking System?
If you’ve ever skidded along an icy or wet road, you know it’s a horrible feeling. The anti-lock braking system is designed to eliminate instances like that. The ABS can stop your vehicle from skidding over patches of ice or snow and slippery roads. When your wheels skid, they’re not providing any traction. ABS enables you to stop faster and steer while you’re braking.
How Anti-Lock Brakes Work
There are four main components of an anti-lock brake system. They are: the speed sensor (or sensors), pump, valves, and controller. These four components work together to stop your vehicle from skidding in braking situations. Here’s what each component or set of components does:
Speed Sensors
Your ABS needs to know when your wheel is about to lock up. The speed sensors on your wheels provides this information. By sensing sudden changes in speed, they can anticipate locking.
Valves
Each brake controlled by the ABS has a valve in its brake line. In most systems, the valve has three positions. In position one, the valve is open, allowing pressure from the master cylinder to pass through to the brake. In position two, the valve blocks the line, preventing the pressure from rising, even if you push the brake pedal harder. In position three, the valve releases some of the pressure from the brake.
Pump
The pump pressurizes the brakes. After the valve releases pressure from the brakes, the pump can get the pressure back up.
Controller
The controller is a computer in your vehicle. It monitors the speed sensors and controls the valves.
ABS In Action
ABS systems can work in different ways, but typically the controller watches the speed sensors, looking for odd decelerations in the wheel, because wheels experience a rapid deceleration just before locking up. It’s not good for wheels to stop much faster than the rest of the vehicle, so the controller reduces the pressure to that brake until it senses an acceleration. At that point, it increases the pressure until it sees the deceleration again.
The ABS aims to slow the wheel down at the same rate as the rest of the vehicle. When activated, you can feel a pulsing in the brake pedal. This is caused by the rapid opening and closing of the valves.
Come To Quarrie’s Tire And Auto For Anti-lock Braking System Maintenance And Repair.
You don’t need to keep searching for ABS service near you if you live in the London area. Come to Quarrie’s Tire and Auto. We have a team of experts who can service your ABS.
To book an appointment for service, please click here. To learn more about ABS service, or about any of the products and services we offer, please visit our website or call 519-452-1780.