Advanced braking systems
Anti-lock braking systems and traction control systems
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents skidding, reduce stopping distance and allow you to steer your vehicle around obstacles you'd otherwise hit. The system engages when it detects a wheel has locked and starts to skid. It then 'pumps' the brake (applying and releasing it) much quicker than you can.
Traction Control systems offer the added feature of improving your vehicle's traction on slippery surfaces when accelerating.
ABS facts
- ABS isn't automatic - it only works when the brakes are on. It's activated by pressing the brake quickly and firmly, and maintaining pressure.
- Pumping or easing off the brakes stops ABS working.
- ABS will not prevent skids on corners caused by excessive speed. Having ABS is not a license to drive faster or follow other cars more closely.
- Stopping distance tends to be shorter on wet and slippery roads, but can actually increase on shingle or soft snow.
- When ABS brakes are activated, the brake pedal may vibrate or there may be a thumping noise.
New to ABS? We recommend you take a practical driving course to become familiar with it.
Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA)
EBD (or EBS - electronic brake stabilisation) evens out the braking effect on all four wheels to make braking more effective, reduce stopping distance and prevent wheels locking up.
EBA relies on you hitting the brake pedal suddenly. When these systems detect sudden braking they boost pressure to the brakes so they engage faster and stop your vehicle in the shortest possible distance.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
ESC uses anti-lock braking and traction control to reduce the danger of skidding. The system uses sensors to detect loss of control and automatically applies the brake to the relevant wheel to keep your vehicle on the intended path.
ESC helps you avoid crashing by:
- correcting impending oversteering or understeering
- stabilising your car during sudden evasive manoeuvres
- enhancing handling on gravel patches, such as road shoulders
- improving traction on slippery or icy roads.
An Australasian study by Monash University on the effectiveness of ESC systems showed they reduced the risk of single vehicle cashes in which the driver is injured by:
- 32 percent overall
- 27 percent for cars
- 68 percent for four-wheel-drives.
While all ESC systems have similar hardware, they differ in how they are programmed to respond to the loss of control. Other factors can affect the effectiveness of all ESC systems. For example worn tyres or inappropriate tyres (such as ordinary road tyres on snow or ice) reduce control.
Different names for ESC systems:
- Active Stability Control (ASC) - Mitsubishi
- AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC)
- Controllo Stabilita (CST)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) - Ford, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover
- Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) - Volvo
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) - Holden, Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes, Saab, Volkswagen
- Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD)
- Maserati Stability Programme (MSP)
- Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
- Precision Control System (PSC)
- StabiliTrak
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - Subaru, Nissan
- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) - Honda
- Vehicle Stability/Swerve Control (VSC) - Toyota, Lexus
Driver monitoring and reminders
Alcohol interlocks
Not yet widely available in New Zealand, alcohol interlocks prevent drink-driving. Drivers have to blow into a device linked to a computer. If the computer detects alcohol the car won't start. In some cases drivers can't even unlock the car without a clear test.
Doze alert/drowsy warning
These systems detect and alert you when you're showing signs of tiredness - fixed staring, slow reactions. See Intelligent Transport Systems for more information.
Safety belt reminders
These reminders are an audible warning telling you to fasten your safety belt, often rising in volume until the belt is in place.
Driver's vision and vehicle visibility
Daytime running lamps
These are lights that work during the day. They make your car more visible to other road users, particularly when moving from sunlight into shadow or when light is poor, such as around dawn and dusk.
Headlight cleaning system
An automatically activated feature that cleans your headlights when you use your windscreen washer.
Night vision technology
These systems use non-visible light frequencies to enhance your vision.
Reverse assist
This feature alerts you with a warning tone if you're at risk of reversing into something or someone. Some systems sound an alert outside the car to warn others that they're in the path of a reversing car.
Reversing camera
This feature uses a camera mounted on the back of your car linked to a screen on the dashboard to provide you with a view of the road behind. They prevent you from reversing into pedestrians and are particularly good for four-wheel drives and cars with small rear windscreens, which have limited rear visibility.
Intelligent vehicle features
Adaptive cruise control
This feature slows down a car on cruise control as it approaches a slower vehicle ahead. See Intelligent Transport Systems for more information.
Active suspension
Active suspension improves the stability and road-holding capability of your car by adjusting the hardness of your car's shock absorbers during cornering. It reduces the chance of your car leaving the road or rolling over.
Collision notification
A feature activated after a crash, this system uses in-vehicle sensors, GPS and wireless communication to notify rescue services of your crash location and in some case the number injured and the nature of the injuries. See Intelligent Transport Systems.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS uses satellite signals to help you keep track of your location and to advise you of the best route to your destination. Sophisticated GPS models can graphically display your position on a street map on a dashboard- mounted screen. These systems need to be used with caution because, for example, changes to the road network may not have been captured depending when the GPS software was updated. See Intelligent Transport Systems.
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
These systems use computer monitoring for a range of functions. In vehicles, ITS features include:
- GPS based navigation / route guidance to avoid congestion and crashes
- vision enhancement for night time driving
- adaptive cruise control - slows down a vehicle on cruise control as it approaches a slower vehicle from behind
- intelligent speed control - GPS informs the vehicle and / or driver of the area's speed limit
- lane-keeping assistance - can make minor changes to steering to keep car in lane
- roll stability control (Electronic Stability Control - ESC) - prevents loss of control while changing lanes, on blind bends or slippery surfaces
- drowsy driver warning systems
- collision warning and avoidance systems such as intersection warnings, forward collision warning, obstacle detection and rear impact warning.
Some ITS systems are available in New Zealand but such features depend on a supporting network within the road system. Without this they won't work. So before paying the extra for a car with ITS features, consider whether or not you will be able to use them.
Warning systems
Audible warning systems
Your horn is a warning device and all vehicles have them. But for your next vehicle purchase consider one with a reversing alarm. These prevent crashes in areas with pedestrians and cyclists.
Collision warning systems
Systems that warn you when a collision is likely can include front and rear warnings and intersection collision warnings. See Intelligent Transport Systems.
Lane-departure warning systems
A buzzer alerts you if your car is about to leave its lane. There is also a lane change/merge feature, which warns you of any vehicles in your 'blind spot'.
Tyre pressure warning
This feature warns you if you have an under-inflated or flat tyre. See more about tyre safety.
Other features
Active headrests or head restraints
The design of headrests and head restraints has improved over the years, and now include active head restraints that move closer to your head during a crash, reducing the likelihood of neck injuries like whiplash.
Anti-submarining seats
Anti-submarining seats stop you sliding down and under your safety belt in a crash. They can also work with 'pretensioners' which tighten up before a crash to prevent your belt sliding off your hips.
