The Difference Having Auto or Anti-Lock Brakes Can Make When on the Road

Kara Masterson https://stapleysgarage.com 3m 631 #antilockbreaks

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

Having ABS brakes or Auto brakes can make a significant difference when driving on the road. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) have been created to improve your control when braking your vehicle during adverse weather conditions. They minimize the dangers caused by panic braking. Auto brakes do much of the same but allow the car’s computer to brake for you on the chance you haven’t seen the oncoming hazard. These technologies are strikingly similar, but having either can only benefit you and your car.

The Benefits of Antilock Brakes

Antilock brakes use sensors and other components to identify skid conditions on the road. These activate the ABS. Without an ABS, the instinct is to slam on the brakes out of fear. Antilock brakes address this by automatically pumping the brakes. This increases a driver’s safety on the road and in the lead up to a possible collision.

Using an ABS is different from using traditional brakes. With an ABS, if you stop at a red light or you are slowing down to keep pace with traffic ahead of you, the ABS will not activate. However, if you are in an emergency and suddenly apply force to the brakes, the ABS will start.

Over the past decade, many car manufacturers have included ABS brakes as standard on their vehicles. The US federal government made ABS brakes mandatory on all new vehicles as of 2011. Drivers who do not have ABS brakes need to learn defensive driving techniques, especially during colder months when ice may accumulate on the road.

The Benefits of Having Auto Brakes

While similar, Auto brakes are different from Antilock brakes in that they have the ability to stop any hazards you haven’t or can’t see before you hit them while driving. The technology used to accomplish this is a sensor in the front of your car that uses radar technology to detect what’s in front of you. Should it look like you’re about to collide with something, they can stop the car for you.

Auto brakes are not as common as Antilock brakes just yet, though several safety organizations and manufacturers are slowly starting to integrate them into the needs of car manufacturing. Many common, name-brand car companies such as Toyota and Honda are seeking to include them in their vehicles.

Keeping Your Brakes in Good Repair

Whether a vehicle has ABS brakes or Auto brakes, it needs to be in good repair for the brakes to be effective. Auto brake services can help in that regard. This is true whether it is repairing brake pads, installing new rotors, installing new shoes, or having the drums repaired.

Maintenance is key to keeping a car’s brakes working as they should. Brake pads and shoes should be replaced at regular intervals to prevent expensive future repairs. If the brake pads and shoes are allowed to deteriorate, the car’s rotors and calipers may get damage. This increases the cost and time needed for repairs.

In addition to good maintenance, the quality of the parts matters. There are inexpensive parts available on the market. However, using these cheap parts means that you will likely need to repair your vehicle more often. When you are in an emergency, your brakes may not operate as you would like them to.

Conclusion

Your brakes are one of the most essential systems on your vehicle. Whether you have ABS brakes or Auto brakes, or perhaps standard traditional brakes, you should take brake maintenance and repairs seriously. You should also not come to completely rely on these modern brake systems. Machines can still fail you from time to time, so it’s important to remain vigilant and ready for anything while on the road. Having these helpful brake systems is just added safety.

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