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ABS Braking Systems Today

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ABS Braking Systems Today

ABS Braking Systems Today
ABS Braking Systems Today

ABS Braking Systems Today

ABS Braking Systems Today—How Modern Cars Keep You Safe on the Road

When ABS braking systems first appeared on mainstream cars, most drivers thought they were a bit of a gimmick. These days they’re an essential part of a car’s safety system, working quietly in the background every time you hit the pedal. Yet many drivers still aren’t sure how ABS actually works or what affects its performance. As someone who sees brake issues, tyre wear, and ABS faults every single week at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, I thought it was time to take a closer look.

What ABS Actually Does: ABS Braking Systems Today

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is designed to stop your wheels from locking when you brake hard. Locking wheels means skidding, and skidding means zero steering control.
ABS steps in by rapidly pulsing the brake pressure on each wheel—far quicker than a human could pump the pedal—so the wheels keep turning just enough to maintain grip.

In real terms this gives you two big advantages:

  • You can steer while braking, avoiding hazards.

  • Your car often stops quicker and in a straight line on most road surfaces.

In today’s traffic, that can easily be the difference between a near miss and a major accident.

Modern ABS – Smarter, Faster, and Linked to Other Systems

Today’s ABS isn’t a standalone gadget. It’s linked to a whole host of systems:

  • Traction control, preventing wheel spin

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC), keeping the car stable in a skid

  • Brake Force Distribution, balancing braking across all wheels

  • Automatic Emergency Braking on newer cars

The wheel-speed sensors and control units are far more accurate than they used to be, and modern systems can monitor individual wheel grip in milliseconds.

Even electric cars rely heavily on ABS integration to work alongside regenerative braking, so the system has become more important than ever.

When ABS Can Feel Different: ABS Braking Systems Today

Most of the time ABS gives you shorter stopping distances, but there are situations where you’ll feel it working harder:

  • Loose gravel and deep snow—a locked wheel can dig in, so ABS may take slightly longer to stop, but it gives you steering control.

  • Polished ice—ABS prevents total lock-up, but grip is still almost zero.

  • Big mismatches in tyres — worn, mixed, or cheap tyres confuse the sensors and reduce efficiency.

That last point is a big one — because your tyres and your ABS are a team, and if the tyres can’t grip, ABS can’t do its job properly.

Tyres and ABS: Why the Right Rubber Matters

ABS relies on the tyres maintaining contact with the road. That means:

  • Good tread depth

  • Correct tyre pressures

  • Correct tyre size (especially on cars with fancy electronics)

  • Matching tyres on each axle

At Pellon Tyres in Halifax, we regularly see cars where the ABS is fighting a losing battle because the tyres are poor quality or badly worn. Regular checks, wheel alignment, and choosing a proper brand — not the nameless budget stuff — make a huge difference.

If you drive in winter or spend time on hilly Yorkshire roads, you’ll feel the benefit of fitting a quality all-weather or winter tyre, which gives the ABS system the grip it needs in bad conditions.

Looking After Your ABS System: ABS Braking Systems Today

ABS systems are reliable but not indestructible. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

  • ABS warning light on your dashboard — don’t ignore it

  • Corroded or damaged wheel-speed sensors

  • Broken wiring after pothole impacts Incorrect tyre sizes confusing the readings

  • Low brake fluid

If your ABS light is on, your car will still brake—but without the safety net. It’s worth popping into Pellon Tyres for a quick check rather than risking an emergency.

ABS Braking FAQ: ABS Braking Systems Today

1. Does my car fail its MOT if the ABS light stays on?
Yes. If the ABS warning light is illuminated, the car will fail its MOT because the system is classed as a major safety feature.

2. Is ABS supposed to buzz or vibrate when it activates?
Yes. A pulsing feeling through the pedal is normal — it means the ABS is kicking in and preventing wheel lock.

3. Can worn tyres affect how well the ABS works?
Absolutely. Low tread, uneven wear, or cheap part-worn tyres can all stop ABS from gripping properly on wet roads.

4. Is it safe to drive with the ABS light on?
The car may still brake normally, but the anti-lock function isn’t working. Braking distance increases, especially in wet weather.

ABS Matters More in Halifax Than You Might Think
With our steep hills, tight back roads, and long wet spells, ABS plays a huge part in stopping safely. Whether you’re coming down Boothtown Road in the rain or braking on black ice towards Sowerby Bridge, a properly working ABS system can make the difference between a clean stop and a collision.

Why Choose Pellon Tyres?

  • Honest, down-to-earth service you can trust
  • Fast turnaround on all ABS brake repairs
  • Expert technicians with decades of experience
  • High-quality parts at sensible Yorkshire prices
  • Local, friendly, and always happy to help

Need tyres or brake repairs in Halifax? Call Pellon Tyres on 01422 35314 or visit us on Pellon Lane.

car brakes problem

Anti-Lock Brake Systems: ABS

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Anti-Lock braking systems

Anti-Lock Brake Systems
Anti-Lock Brake Systems

Anti-Lock Brake Systems

So, this is one of the things that I am most proud of. Of course, I have been a garage owner! Is it when a customer contacts my garage for a brake problem to be sorted out? Subsequently, it appears not to be the price that the person is worried about. Because they know how important it is to have good brakes on their car.

Before we remove the wheels, we examine the brakes. So, generally, we have a blank canvas to work from. We know that most cars get to the stage of having practically no brakes! Then the braking system will be in pretty bad shape. Believe me, they usually are.

Back in the old days! Then the car’s brakes were a much simpler affair to diagnose and repair. Of course, with only the upper end of the market cars. Having any type of electrical modification in order to aid better braking. As in almost all the car developments. So, brakes were originally tested and tried on motorsport vehicles. A long time before being tried and tested on average road cars. Including the beginning of the ABS braking systems! Importantly, those are in common use today.

At first, Anti-lock braking systems, only came out on prestige cars such as BMW and Mercedes

But many drivers had not heard of them before; in fact, we still get customers today who do not know what it means when their ABS warning light comes on and have to be investigated. Twenty years ago, many vehicle owners were given the option of having ABS brakes or not, a similar sort of thing to fitting alloy wheels or steel wheels; they were an optional extra.

Anti-Lock braking systems work differently to a standard braking system

ABS brakes do act differently from a normal braking system. The main two advantages are that when you are braking on a wet, slippery road surface, or, say, on ice, your car will stop quicker; this also applies to normal roads, of course. Also, the car will handle much better when the driver has to brake and steer at the same time. Once again, in bad weather conditions, the car will handle much better than when using a conventional braking system.

Anti-Lock Brake Systems
Anti-Lock Brake Systems

In any normal driving situation, Anti-Lock Brake Systems

such as stopping at traffic lights or at a road junction, the Anti-Lock Braking Systems do not activate, but if you need to brake sharply and suddenly, the Anti-Lock Braking Systems will be activated and assist you in braking more safely.

The Anti-Lock Brake Systems send out pulses of pressure instead of the single pressure that is exerted when braking a normal car. You can actually feel the pulses coming through the brake pedal when you have to exert pressure on the brake pedal in an emergency stop. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that if you do encounter a challenging situation, such as snow or a non-tarmac road, you will still need to slow down because your ABS system won’t be able to assist you.

The main benefit of Anti-Lock Braking Systems is that the driver has full control when braking and steering at the same time, which can help the driver steer away from danger; they prevent the wheel from locking in certain conditions.

Practice your ABS brake system—Anti-Lock Brake Systems

In my experience, it has always been a good idea to take your car and practise with the brakes if you are driving a car fitted with ABS brakes for the first time and get used to the different feel of the brakes when going straight and when steering.

The in-cab ABS warning light may come on if there is a fault with the ABS system or the normal braking system. If the warning light comes on, then you should have the brakes looked at as soon as possible. In our experience it is usually something simple, such as a faulty electrical connection or even that the car needs a set of new pads. You can also find problems with Anti-Lock Brake Systems and other Anti Lock Brake Parts. Once the problem has been found and rectified, the ABS warning light can be reset with a computer.

Also sell Firestone Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk. By using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work. Also an official MOT testing station that carries out checks for high standards of equipment and workmanship.

ABS FAQs:

Q: What are the most common symptoms of ABS problems?
A: Warning lights, grinding noises, pulsing brakes, or increased stopping distances.

Q: Is it safe to drive with faulty ABS?
A: It’s possible, but not recommended, because the wheels can lock under heavy braking.

Q: How long does ABS diagnostics take?
A: At Pellon Tyres we can test your ABS system in around 30 minutes.

Need tyres or brake repairs in Halifax? Call Pellon Tyres on 01422 351314 or visit us on Pellon Lane.

If you’re heading over to the East Yorkshire coast this year, take a look at our Lucky Paws Holiday Home in beautiful Thornwick Bay.