If vacation plans put you behind the wheel of a rental car this summer, be sure you know how to stop it in an emergency.
Most cars offered by the major rental companies come with anti-lock brake systems, but you'll get no instructions on use. That's no problem if you have anti-lock brakes on your own car and know how to use them. But if not, you could be in for a dangerous surprise in a panic situation.When introduced, ABS was hailed for helping drivers keep control in sudden stops. But real-life experience has shaken confidence in ABS.
"There's general agreement that they work the way they're supposed to, but we're not seeing a reduction in accidents," says Charles Kahane, author of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study on ABS. This has led some insurance companies to back away from discounts for ABS.
Studies show that ABS appears to help prevent car-to-car accidents on wet roads. But in single-car accidents, cars with ABS have a higher incidence of running off the road. Researchers don't know the cause, but driver error is suspected.
"The technology is sound, so the best hypothesis is the man-to-machine match," says George Parker, vice president of engineering affairs for the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
When you start a car, a light on the dash will usually alert you if you have ABS. If so, you should know how to take advantage of the system:
ABS modulates the brakes as often as 15 times per second. That prevents the brakes from locking up and allows the car to roll to a stop. In an emergency, don't pump the brakes: Step down hard on the brake pedal and hold your foot there until the car stops.
ABS is designed to help you steer clear of objects instead of skidding into them. Don't slam on the brakes and brace for impact. Try to steer the automobile to safety. You may want to practice this in an empty parking lot, steering while you brake at 15 to 20 miles per hour.
Some anti-lock systems produce a rough shuddering when you brake hard. This is normal - ignore it and keep your foot down.
ABS can lengthen your braking distance on some surfaces. A car with ABS can't stop on a dime, so don't overestimate your stopping power.