Some safety systems help you avoid accidents, while others protect you when an accident happens. ABS and airbags are two of the most important systems working silently in the background.
1. ABS — Anti-Lock Braking System (Active Safety)
ABS prevents your wheels from locking during hard braking, allowing you to steer while stopping.
What ABS Does:
- Maintains traction
- Prevents skidding
- Improves control on wet, icy, or gravel roads
- Reduces loss of steering during panic stops
ABS does not stop the car faster in every situation — it keeps the driver in control.
2. How ABS Works
ABS uses:
- Wheel speed sensors
- Hydraulic valves
- ABS control module
When a wheel locks, ABS rapidly pulses brake pressure — up to 15 times per second.
What Drivers Feel:
- Pulsing brake pedal
- Grinding or vibration
This is NORMAL. Do not pump the brakes.
3. Common ABS Problems
- ABS light on dash
- Failed wheel speed sensor
- Corroded tone rings
- Wiring issues
⚠️ If the ABS light is on, normal braking still works — ABS does not.
4. Airbags — Passive Safety That Saves Lives
Airbags are part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and work with seatbelts, not instead of them.
Types of Airbags:
- Front airbags
- Side-impact airbags
- Curtain airbags
- Knee airbags
They deploy in milliseconds to reduce head, chest, and upper-body injuries.
5. How Airbags Decide to Deploy
Airbags use:
- Impact sensors
- Accelerometers
- Seat occupancy sensors
- Seatbelt data
- Crash severity calculations
They only deploy when specific thresholds are met.
6. Airbag Myths (Quick Truths)
❌ Airbags replace seatbelts → False
❌ Airbags deploy in every crash → False
❌ Airbags are dangerous → False (they save lives)
7. Warning Lights You Should Never Ignore
| Light | Meaning |
| ABS Light | ABS disabled |
| Airbag / SRS Light | Airbags may not deploy |
| Traction Control | Stability system issue |
⚠️ If the airbag light is on, the system is disabled, even in a serious crash.
