An ABS system rant

ABS system

As we finish an Alfa Romeo symbols update, there has to be something said about an ABS system symbol the company uses. ABS ACTIVE (right).

ABS, or Anti-lock Braking System, for years has operated under the radar helping to prevent the wheels from locking up during braking. This helps maintain tractive contact with the road, which helps a driver to maintain more control over the vehicle.

This suggests poor road conditions; perhaps rain or snow or loose gravel, etc., which further suggests that the driver is quite likely paying special attention to the drive.

Then he or she has his or her attention distracted by a warning light.

This is the same issue we have with the Stability Control Light (right), which will also be seen when it is doing its job helping maintain control of the car in difficult conditions. In most forms, it looks for all the world like a car out of control.

In fact, the same conditions could easily lead to both lights being activated at the same time drawing even more attention from the driver when that attention clearly belongs on the road!

National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) guidance on the use of the stability control light is a take it or leave it approach. Manufacturers are left to decide whether or not to use it, while their own research suggests that it does indeed distract the driver! But not enough to be of concern.

How much distraction is enough?? We say lose them both.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new abbreviation or acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble — a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

Our Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page can be seen here.

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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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