Commonly known as ABS, or sometimes anti-skid braking systems, anti-lock braking systems help prevent car and motorcycle wheels locking up and improve steering control whilst braking.
ABS works by releasing and then reapplying or ‘pumping’ the brakes to a motorcycle wheel or car wheels in heavy braking situations. Sensors on each wheel are used to detect ‘locking’ or when a wheel stops moving and starts to skid. Although not all ABS systems are the same, with some only preventing wheels on the rear axle from locking up.
When a lock-up is detected, ABS pumps the brakes, 100’s of times a second. This stops the wheel or wheels from skidding and helps keep the driver in control of the vehicle. So essentially, ABS works in three stages:
- Brake pedal is pushed
- Wheel sensors detect skidding or ‘locking’
- ABS pumps the brakes
![](https://afma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Attention-Assist-600x403.jpg)
Attention Assist
![](https://afma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Anitlock-Braking-System-600x403.jpg)
Anitlock Braking System
![](https://afma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Automatic-Emergency-Braking-1-600x403.jpg)
Automatic Emergency Braking
![](https://afma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Blind-Spot-Monitoring-600x403.jpg)
Blind Spot Monitoring
![](https://afma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Rear-Cross-Traffic-Alert-600x403.jpg)