Car Insurance

Anti-Lock Breaks Can Reduce Insurance Costs

They're one of the most effective safety features for saving motorists on their insurance, but that doesn't mean everyone knows how to drive with anti-lock breaks. According to the National Safety Council, there is a right way and a wrong way to apply anti-locking breaks in an emergency. It pays to know the correct way to proceed.

Unlike regular breaking systems, anti-lock breaks are created to allow a driver to stop quickly without fear of the breaks seizing up or "locking." Pumping is not required when anti-lock breaks are standard in a vehicle and a few other things work differently, too.

For those new to using anti-locking breaks, the feeling can be different, so it's a good idea to understand what needs to be done to stop a vehicle quickly in an emergency before that emergency arises.

Here are some tips for safely using anti-lock breaks:
* Don't forget to break and steer. When four-wheel anti-locking breaks are installed in a car, all a driver needs to do is push the break and keep steering the vehicle until it comes to a complete stop. Taking the pressure off the break can and will disengage the breaking system, so don't do it.
* Remember, no matter how good the breaking system is, a car will not handle as well on wet pavement as it does on dry.
* Don't forget you're using ABS, and remember the system is not a license to drive like a nut. Good breaks cannot prevent every careless accident, so don't disobey the rules of the road.
* Expect a funny noise and some vibration when the ABS system is kicked into use. If you feel and hear it, the system is working as it should.
* While ABS is faster for stopping in most conditions, don't forget gravel, snow and ice still can require much larger stopping distances.
* Four-wheel ABS is different than rear-wheel. Four wheel tends to give a driver a bit more control, which is always a good thing. In the case or rear-wheel ABS, don't forget the front wheels can still lock up and cause a loss of steering. If this happens, ease up on the breaks and then reapply pressure.

Stopping a car in a timely fashion can often mean the difference between a crash and an avoided one. The problem is sometimes people have a great stopping system, but don't know how to use it. Know what's equipped in your car and make sure you're versed in its handling. When applied properly, ABS can really help drivers avoid accidents, which is why this feature is a favorite among insurance companies. But, if you don't know how to use it correctly, it won't do you the most good where it really counts.