If you suddenly have to brake hard for sudden obstacles, traffic situations or other events, the wheels can lock. In this situation, the braking force becomes too great in relation to the grip the tires have on the road. The wheels come to a stop, causing you to start sliding instead of rolling. This is very dangerous because you no longer have control over the vehicle.
For this reason, most modern vehicles nowadays have an ABS system that helps with braking. But what is ABS actually, and what do you need to know about it to pass your car theory?
ABS meaning in the car explained
ABS is the abbreviation for Anti-lock Braking System. You can recognize this by the light on the car dashboard with a circle containing the letters ABS. This safety system ensures, in short, that your wheels don't lock when you brake hard. Your vehicle is then still steerable. Even during an emergency stop or if you're driving on a slippery road surface.
How ABS works in the car
In the car, ABS actually consists of sensors that monitor the wheels. When the sensors detect that a wheel is about to lock, the brake pressure is temporarily reduced. If the risk of locking is gone again, the pressure is built up again within a few milliseconds. When you're driving, you often don't even notice this. It's only noticeable by a vibration you feel in the brake pedal.
Even though you as a car driver notice fairly little of ABS, it ensures behind the scenes that you stop in time and don't lose control of the car. Note that on slippery roads you don't always stop in time. In some cases, the braking distance becomes longer on slippery roads, but it does ensure that you maintain control.
What does the ABS light on the dashboard mean?
On the dashboard you'll find a warning light with the letters ABS in it. When this light burns orange, it means the ABS system has a malfunction and no longer works. If this light burns, it's wise to look up a garage to have the system fixed again. The costs for a new ABS sensor are around €200 and €300 including installation. Is your pump or control unit broken, then this can even go up to around €1200 or more.
What you need to know about ABS for your car theory exam
During the exam, there can be questions about ABS in the car, so it's important to be prepared. The most important thing to remember is that the system ensures that the wheels don't lock when you brake hard, which allows you to maintain control over the car. When the orange ABS light goes on, you can continue driving, but do have this checked at the garage.
Now you know everything about ABS and you can go into the theory exam with more peace of mind. Always remember: the better you understand the theory, the more relaxed you'll be in the car later. So go for it, practice those exam questions and make sure you confidently get your license.
Do you have questions about your theory exam? Feel free to contact us.
