In principle, with each braking, ABS must solve two problems, ensuring:
- a) Longitudinal stability on roads with different types of surfaces (asphalt, concrete, etc.) and in different states (icy, wet, covered with mud, snow, etc.).
- 6) Controllability and maneuverability of the car under these conditions.
The above requirements require substantial comment. ABS does not cancel the laws of physics. The system cannot prevent the consequences of braking when the distance to the vehicle in front is insufficient, when cornering at an unacceptably high speed, or when there is a risk of aquaplaning. These consequences remain on the driver's conscience.
The presence of ABS, which provides increased safety potential, should not provoke you to excessively risky driving.
Features of driving a car with ABS
After starting the engine, the yellow ABS warning light on the instrument panel should go out. The system is automatically activated only when the speed reaches about 8 km/h. When it falls below 3 km/h, ABS is deactivated, so theoretically the wheels can lock at the very last stage of braking, but in practice this is no longer of fundamental importance.
ABS carries out the regulation process in a fraction of a second. The pulsation of the pedal under the foot means that braking occurs in the range of this regulation, in other words, that the driver is driving in the limit mode. In addition, the crackling caused by the ABS operation reminds the driver of the need to adjust the speed to the driving conditions that have changed due to the reduction (for example, due to icy conditions) coefficient of friction (or clutches) between the tires and the road.
On roads with loose surfaces (for example, sand or snow) the braking distance may be longer than if the wheels are locked.
The same applies to driving with anti-skid chains. Much more important, however, is the gain in longitudinal stability and control of the car.
To maintain the full functionality of the ABS, it is prohibited to make any changes to it. Work on the system should only be carried out by BMW specialists, Driving on different tires (for example, after installing a spare wheel in combination with the other three wheels, on which winter tires are mounted) may limit the functionality of the ABS. Therefore, the removed wheel should be reinstalled as soon as possible.
The malfunction signal is the yellow ABS warning light on the instrument panel. In this case, the braking system continues to operate in the normal mode, as in cars without ABS. In order to exclude the influence of the possible mutual overlap of two malfunctions on the braking system, the necessary repair work should be carried out at the earliest opportunity.