What does ABS do in a car?

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, and its primary role is to help you maintain control of your vehicle during sudden or hard braking, especially on slippery surfaces like wet roads. When you brake abruptly, the wheels can sometimes lock up, meaning they stop rotating while the car is still moving. This locking causes your tires to skid, which reduces traction and steering control, increasing the risk of an accident. What ABS does is prevent the wheels from locking. It uses sensors to monitor the speed of each wheel, and if it detects one or more wheels starting to lock up during braking, it rapidly modulates the brake pressure—applying and releasing it multiple times per second. This pulsing action keeps the tires rotating just enough to maintain grip with the road surface. As a result, you can still steer your car while braking hard, helping you to avoid obstacles or maintain your intended path. On a wet road, this system is particularly valuable because water reduces tire traction, making wheel lock-up more likely. ABS improves your chances of stopping safely while allowing you to steer. However, it's important to remember that ABS doesn't reduce your stopping distance in all conditions—it’s mainly about maintaining control and preventing skidding. So, always drive cautiously in wet or slippery conditions, and use ABS as a safety aid rather than a reason to brake more aggressively.