How do ABS brakes work?

Anti-lock braking system in your car

When you’re driving in snowy, icy or otherwise slippery road conditions, you might notice a symbol in yellow light up on your dash that says “ABS”. This stands for anti-lock braking system and it’s designed to make steering and braking easier in poor road conditions. Essentially all vehicles on the market today feature ABS and you may find yourself wondering: how do ABS brakes work?

With the Anti-lock braking system, drivers are able to better control their vehicles when braking hard on a slippery road surface. The system does this by preventing the wheels from locking. When the wheels of your vehicle lock up, the can no longer transmit cornering forces, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of accident.

To keep this from happening, ABS the wheel sensors to monitor the rotational speed of each wheel. When the system senses that a one of the wheels may be about to lock, it reduces the brake pressure applied at the wheel until it starts to rotate freely again. This process is repeated several times per second to ensure driver’s safety. With the vehicle’s wheels rotating freely, the driver stays in control and is able to steer the vehicle while braking more easily.

How to tell when the ABS at work

You can tell when the anti-lock braking system is at work in your car by feeling a slight shuddering from the brake pedal. The light will also appear on your dash when one of your wheels is at risk of locking, warning you of potential ABS braking. When the system is in action, vehicles remain stable in poor road conditions and drivers are able to control their vehicle’s direction during braking with ease. This makes it significantly easier for drivers to avoid accidents.

ABS is available in all Volkswagen vehicle models. If you’re having problems with your brakes, contact our expert service staff as soon as possible. We’ll be happy to take a look and make any necessary repairs to your vehicle. Those interested in getting behind the wheel of one of our vehicles can take a look at our available inventory. If any of our Volkswagen models catch your eye, be sure to contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. We’ll be happy to set you up with a test drive.