Your car’s dashboard contains a series of warning lights, each symbol representing potential problems with your vehicle. One such warning light is the ABS lighting, which signifies that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) has turned on.
The ABS makes braking more consistent at high speeds, and if the light for this system is on, you may be tempted to ignore it. However, doing so may cause significant damage to your car. The ABS is not just a safety measure for emergencies. It’s an essential part of your vehicle that should always work properly.
What is the ABS light?
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light indicates that your car is experiencing a problem with its anti-lock braking system. The ABS prevents your wheels from locking up when you brake, which can cause the car to skid or slide.
ABS control in a vehicle
The ABS lighting typically comes on when one or more of your four wheels locks up, which means they stop turning and skid. When this happens, the car’s sensors detect that the wheels are locked up and send a signal to a computer which then activates the ABS to prevent further skidding. That’s why you’ll notice that if you try to brake hard while this light is on, the car will automatically apply the brakes at full force until they unlock themselves again so they can begin slowing down safely.
What does the ABS warning light mean?
The ABS lighting is a severe warning that you should not ignore. It does not mean your car will stop working immediately, but it hints that something is wrong with the system that controls your vehicle’s braking and steering capabilities.
If the light comes on when driving, you should pull over as soon as possible and check for leaks or other problems. If there are no problems, the light should go off after about 30 seconds.
A skidding vehicle
There are several reasons why this light would come on in your car:
- The sensor that reads speed and wheel rotation has failed. This means the vehicle cannot judge the rate at which the wheels rotate. This is quite serious as it may cause your speedometer to malfunction, meaning you cannot estimate your speed while driving.
- The ABS has been turned off. Yes, you can mute this safety feature, sometimes inadvertently. This may turn on the warning light that keeps you alive because you have switched off the ABS safety functionality. However, simply turning it on will switch off the warning lights.
- The pump that sends fluid through the brake lines has failed. Without brake fluid, your brakes are useless, and you cannot stop the vehicle in motion.
- The brake fluid level is too low. With most vehicles using a hydraulic brake system, having low brake fluids is a recipe for disaster. You may be forced to continually pump the brake lever for the vehicle to come to a gradual stop.
- ABS System malfunction. The ABS is built on the same platform as most vehicles’ traction control systems. These may cause cross-system interference, which the abs lighting indicates on your dashboard.
What causes the ABS light to come on and go off?
Rather than stay on, sometimes the ABS light flashes on and off when the engine is running. This may indicate a minor problem, like a mud buildup on the ABS sensors. However, it would be best if you kept an eye on the blinking rate, as this may point to the nature of the problem. The faster the flashing of the ABS light hints at the level of severity of the fault. However, we recommend you consult a qualified mechanic when your ABS light flashes.
What do I do if the ABS light stays on?
A vehicle dash showing the ABS warning light
The ABS is a failsafe feature of your vehicle, so if the ABS light stays on, it can signify a severe problem. The first thing to do is pull over and check your tires. Confirm that there is no foreign object that has lodged itself in the inner side of the rim. Then, check your tire pressure. If your tires are low on air, you may need to stop at a gas station and inflate them before continuing. Check for any leaking fluids under the vehicle if these two are okay. Confirm if your braking system is leaking fluids. If not, switch on the car and check if the ABS light is still on. If it is, call your mechanic straightway so that he can tow your car and repair it.
Is it safe to drive with the ABS light on?
If your vehicle‘s ABS lighting is on, you can still drive it. As we have seen, minor faults, such as the accumulation of mud, may trigger the warning system. As long as your driving experience is unhindered, you should not worry. You can still safely drive your car until you take it in for service. However, if you notice any other driving issues, such as slipping or spinning, you might need to hail a towing service to get your car to a mechanic.
Challenges with the vehicle steering also point to a severe fault in the ABS, which needs immediate attention. Driving such a vehicle makes you a danger to other road users, as you cannot claim to have the vehicle under your control. If this happens when you’re on the road, slowly bring the car to a halt at the side and call a tow truck.
Summary
Now that you know what’s causing the ABS lighting to turn on and off, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s safe to drive with the warning light. If it is safe, we recommend turning your vehicle off, letting it rest for 20 minutes, and then starting it again. If the ABS light still comes on, have a certified mechanic look at your car. They will diagnose the malfunction and fix it before it causes a more significant fault or even puts you in danger.
