Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) technology improves vehicle control during emergencies or panic-driven conditions like driving on a slippery road. It is one of the most useful safety features found in modern cars.
The technology was first introduced in 1929 when Gabriel Voisin, a French aviation pioneer developed the first anti-lock braking system to ease the difficulty aeroplanes experienced with braking. Later, in 1978, Mario Palazzetti developed the four-wheel-multi-channel ABS system in the Fiat Research Centre. W116 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was among one of the first cars to use electric four-wheel-multi-channel ABS. Over the years, the ABS technology has come a long way and many brands have developed their own variation. Such innovations and advancements have created different types of ABS systems, each with a slightly different set of pros and cons.
This guide covers all the common types of ABS you can find in modern cars along with the details of how they work and why they work better.
The basics of Anti-lock Braking System
The anti-lock braking system is an advanced safety system. Even experienced drivers can encounter problems when trying to hit the brakes in harsh driving conditions, such as adverse weather or difficult terrain. Among other benefits, cars with ABS systems are less likely to get in fatal road accidents.
The system prevents cars from lockups in slippery road conditions and reduces the chances of colliding with another car on wet and dry roads. ABS also prevents your cars from skidding. Moreover, if a jaywalker walks in front of a car while it’s in speed and the driver hits the brakes firmly out of panic, the wheels will not get locked.
This is why ABS systems are crucial for vehicles.
The anti-lock braking system consists of four mechanisms:
- Wheel speed sensors located on each wheel to monitor speed (generally four sensors are considered ideal)
- A hydraulic motor
- Pressure release valves
- An electronic module fixed in the car’s Engine Control Unit
It is pertinent to note that the electrical symptoms in cars work on a fuse or relay. Basically, the fuses control the electricity level in the anti-lock braking system when the ignition is on. Here are the symptoms of a bad anti-lock fuse.
Types of ABS Systems used in cars
Almost every type of ABS has these four components, with a difference in how they work together. Let’s take a look at three types of abs systems typically used in cars:
Four-channel/ Four-sensor ABS
The four-channel, four-sensor ABS is considered the best option when it comes to ABS. It keeps a thorough check on the brake action. When your car is about to skid, the system applies a pulse to only the affected wheels.
To further clarify, ABS systems with four-wheel-speed sensors distribute a different control to each wheel with the help of speed sensors monitoring all the wheels individually.
Three-channel/ Three-sensor ABS
The three-channel, three-sensor ABS system works with three sensors: two ABS sensors are placed in front and one placed in the rear. The three-sensor ABS system applies individual control or valve and wheel speed sensors on both the front wheels.
Conversely, the rear wheels consist of just one valve and one-speed sensor that has to be shared, this sensor is placed in the rear axle making an effect on both the rear brakes.
For instance, pickup trucks generally have a three-channel, three-sensor ABS system.
However, one valve and speed sensor are shared by both the rear wheels, which means the system locks both wheels. If just one rear wheel is locked, the brake efficiency will not be as effective.
One-channel/ one-sensor ABS
Evident by its name, this type of vehicle ABS system consists of only one valve and a one-speed sensor, which is installed to monitor all of the four wheels and is located in the rear axle. Typically, pickup trucks with rear wheels feature the one-channel, one-sensor ABS system.
Similar to three-channel, three-sensor ABS, the risk of one rear wheel locking, resulting in lower brake efficiency, is also present in the one channel-one brake sensor ABS system.
That is all about what the ABS system does and its types. If you’re in search of cars with ABS safety features, explore a variety of used cars for sale in the UAE and select the vehicle with the type of ABS that best matches your needs.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top cars blog for more on car parts, car repairs, car DIY solutions and vehicle anatomy.
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