Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) speed sensors magnetically read the rotational speed of each wheel, which is fed back to the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU). When a wheel is starting to lock up and/or skid, the ABS system intervenes to gradually release and re-apply the brake many times per second to help ensure maximum braking efficiency and directional control can be maintained.
Without ABS, a wheel will automatically lock up in slippery and/or gravel-like conditions, as well as potentially experience a loss of directional control and vehicle stability.