Anti-lock braking system (VW Golf 4)

The presence of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on a vehicle significantly increases the level of active safety of the vehicle. The main advantage of service brakes equipped with this system over conventional service brake systems is that even with intensive braking to a complete stop on a slippery road, the best controllability of the vehicle is maintained for the road surface, since the wheels do not lock.

However, you should not expect that the ABS will reduce the braking distance in all road conditions. When driving on gravel or fresh snow lying on a slippery road surface, when you already have to drive slowly and with great caution, the braking distance may even increase.

ABS action

When the car reaches a speed of 6 km/h, the ABS is automatically checked for operability. A characteristic sound can be heard.

When the circumferential speed of a wheel becomes less than the speed of the car and the wheel is on the verge of locking, the pressure in the brake drive of this wheel is reduced. The pressure in the drive is regulated separately for the front wheels, while at the rear the pressure in the drive is regulated for both wheels. Thanks to this, the braking of both rear wheels is equal, and the stability of the car remains as good as possible under the given road conditions. This regulation process can be noticed by the pulsating movements of the brake pedal and by a specific sound. This should be a kind of warning for the driver that one or more wheels are starting to lock. In order for the ABS to work optimally, the brake pedal should be kept pressed constantly when braking and under no circumstances should pumping movements be made.

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