ABS – Anti-Lock Braking System

ABS (anti-lock braking system) is probably the single most important automotive development in 50 years. ABS is “idiot proof”. If you are ever in a panic situation with ABS, you are able to slam on the brakes without locking up the tires. By not locking up the tires, you are able to maintain the ability to steer the vehicle and you may be able to avoid a potential collision situation. In fact that is the easiest way to remember ABS.

ABS – Allows you to Brake and Steer.

However, just remember that driver skill still remains a major factor in collision avoidance. Safety devices such as ABS gives a competent driver the tools to do an even better job. Technology, however, cannot completely replace the driver, nor can it compensate completely for inadequate operating skills.

You cannot bend the laws of physics. Perhaps the real problem with drivers’ aids like ABS is the impression that they will compensate for stupidity, poor judgment, and inadequate operator skill. They won’t. Having ABS does not mean that your vehicle will be able to stop quicker or have better traction. In fact, it may take a vehicle longer to stop with ABS. However, what ABS does provide is the ability to maintain steering in a panic situation, thereby allowing you the opportunity to avoid a potential collision.

Unfortunately, many older vehicles do not have ABS. That’s why learning proper braking technique is still very important.

Threshold Braking

Contrary to what a lot of people think, stomping on the brakes and locking up the tires is not the quickest way to stop a car. A tire that is locked up has lost traction with the road. If the tire has lost traction, how can it help slow you down? Locking up the tires will cause you to lose roughly 25% of your vehicle’s braking ability. That’s a considerable difference, especially at higher speeds.

The best way to stop a car that doesn’t have ABS is with “threshold braking”. This is a method that will allow you to brake to the full potential of the braking system without locking up the tires.

The key to threshold braking is finding the “hard spot” in your braking system. The hard spot is where you feel a noticeable difference in the resistance of the brake pedal. It is usually felt between 50 and 70 percent of pedal travel. It might take you few tries to find it, but it’s there.

In a panic situation, the idea is to reach the hard spot as quickly and smoothly as possible. Quickness is of the utmost importance. At 60 mph, a one second delay will use up to 90 feet of road!

By quickly braking to the hard spot you transfer load to the front tires, which not only increases the traction but also forces the tires to keep rolling. Once you’ve reached the hard spot, gradually increase the pressure into the system. When you begin to hear “chirping” sounds from the front tires you have achieved threshold. The chirping indicates that the tires are on the verge of lock-up. If you do lock up the tires don’t pump! Just ease back a little bit until the tires roll again.

Think of the braking system on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being no brakes and above 10 being lock-up, you would want to hit to 7 and then squeeze up to 10.