The temperature drops down come fall until winter. During these months, roads become slippery because of the moist and icy paths brought about by the cold weather. Aside from gearing up with layers of coats and socks, motorists also have to make sure that the brake system is properly maintained and equipped with the Anti-lock Braking System or ABS to ensure utmost safety on the road.

ABS, which is also known as the anti-skid system, is installed in automobiles to upgrade the car’s brake system. What it does is it prevents wheels to get jammed up when the driver suddenly depresses the brake pedal. Since the wheels are not locked up, the driver is allowed to maneuver the vehicle out of potential danger, like running over a cliff.

How is this braking system possible? Each tire has a wheel speed sensor that monitors sudden changes when braking. When this sensor notices a speed difference of three miles per hour in a wheel or two, the ABS will immediately loosen up the pressure on the wheel/s, thus preventing any lock up or stuck up. A concrete is example is when the slippery road caused the vehicle to veer toward a cliff. Rationally, the driver will depress the brake pedal hastily from much panic. Moving away from the cliff, however, is very tricky especially when the wheels are jammed up. This is where the ABS comes in as it loosens up a wheel or two in order for the vehicle to be steered away from the cliff.   

Without a doubt, ABS is one of the ingenious car brake technologies most vehicles are equipped with. With this geared in a vehicle, the passengers are given with much peace of mind when driving during this time of the year.

The Toyota Motor Corporation is the leading Japanese automaker to date. This company takes pride in its well-crafted vehicles ranging from compact cars to bulky sport utility vehicles. The Toyota Land Cruiser, which has recently reached the soil of Kuwait, is one of its established models that boast of high-end technologies especially the brake system.

As a vehicle geared for the streets and most especially for the inconsistent paths, the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with a top of the notch slowing and stopping system dubbed as the Multi-terrain Desert Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), which can do both the high and low range paths. With this vehicle brake feature, the big and bulky SUV is made easier to maneuver even in the roughest and steepest paths.

“It automatically identifies road-surface conditions based on factors including engine speed and tire-slip rate. This ensures excellent braking performance by infinitely repeating tire locks and it releases with even greater precision than in the past,” said Hideki Watanabe, who is Toyota’s head engineer. “This newly developed ABS significantly enhances control when crossing deep snow, dirt roads, muddy trails, roads with varying surface resistance between the right and left wheels, and especially in desert areas where previous ABS control was insufficient.”

Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) are the two other systems that fully-complement the Multi-terrain ABS technology of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The all-wheel-drive SUV is made easier to drive even in a steep hill because the DAC system allows the bulky auto to firmly ‘hike’ down. By depressing half way the Land Cruiser’s brake pedal, stability is already achieved. The HAC, on the other hand, aids the driver to safely operate the vehicle in going up the hill. Driving up a steep slope, the HAC system allows the operator to just step on the brake pedal gradually, along with the gas pedal, and restrains the automobile to go backwards.

The brake system is just one of the features that makes the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser among the best finds for those who are geared for off-road adventures.

This latest offering of the top Japanese company is ready for drive testing at the Mishref-based 2008 Kuwait Motor Show to be held in the International Fair Grouds starting from November 29 until December 4.

Details from the Kuwait Times.