There is a common misconception that Anti-Lock Brakes help you stop faster. That is not always the case on loose gravel or snowy surfaces. Anti-Lock Brakes, in fact, are designed to help you maintain control of your vehicle in an emergency braking situation.

Imagine you are driving on a snowy road. You need to slam on your brakes and your rear wheels lock up. Chances are good that the rear end of your vehicle will try to pass the front end and you can easily lose control. What would happen in the same circumstance if your front wheels locked up? Well you certainly would not be able to steer properly, and your front end would go to wherever gravity leads it.

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) modulates your brakes on and off as many as 15 times a second. This keeps your wheels from locking up while providing the greatest amount of braking possible. You are better able to steer your vehicle and maintain control. It’s very important to remember the three S’s of Anti-Lock Brakes: Stomp – Stay – Steer. Stomp on the brake, Stay on the brake, and Steer normally.

Modern ABSs utilize a computer to receive information from sensors and control the anti-lock brakes. There are wheel speed sensors at each wheel reporting back to the computer which can then decide when to activate the anti-lock brakes on the wheel or wheels in need.

So, what affects how well the ABS works? The brakes need to be in good shape. If your brakes are worn or not working properly, the ABS will not be able to do its job as effectively. A brake inspection will let you know if your brake shoes/pads are in good condition, if there are any mechanical brake problems and if your brake fluid and power brake system need service. Proper brake fluid maintenance helps keep the brake control module in good working order.

There can also be problems with the various sensors and wiring that send the messages to and from the computer. And of course, tires need to be in good condition to have enough traction to start, stop, and steer. Worn tires are a big problem for ABS and Stability Control Systems.

The ABS is the foundation of the Stability Control Systems, providing the information needed for stability control as well as to strategically brake when needed. The stability control system can activate the ABS without any driver inputs and it can also take control of the throttle. The Stability system uses a yaw rate sensor that can detect the sideways movement of the vehicle, if the steering wheel isn’t turning, the control unit senses that the vehicle is slipping.

When you start your vehicle, the ABS and traction lights will briefly illuminate on the dashboard. If the system detects a problem, the light will stay on. That is your cue to take your vehicle in for an inspection to determine the problem.

Doug Carter is the owner of Carter’s Auto Service, Inc. He has been in the auto service business since graduating from Gorham High School in 1981.