The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most
of
available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to
get your
foot
up
to
the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance.
If
you get
too
close to the
vehicle in front
of
you, you won’t have time
to
apply
your brakes
if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this
is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However,
if
you don’t have anti-lock,
your first reaction
-
to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down
-
may be the wrong thing
to
do. Your
wheels
can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can’t
respond
to
your steering. Momentum will carry it in
whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying
to
avoid, or into traffic.
4-9
To Next Page
Loading...
