Does tyre pressure affect ABS?

If your car travels at speed and you brake hard, the wheels may lock. This can cause the wheels to lose traction. As a result, you may lose control of your vehicle. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) make this less likely to happen.

It is not recommended to disable a TPMS, as they’re designed to protect your safety on the roads.

ABS works by using sensors near each wheel. These sensors can work out how fast each wheel is rotating and their rate of acceleration and deceleration. If you brake sharply, ABS senses when the wheels are about to lock. When they do, ABS adjusts the braking pressure many times per second. This keeps the wheels moving as the car slows down, instead of locking up. Now, the driver has more steering control and the car is less likely to skid.

If your tyres are underinflated, it may affect your ABS. That’s because ABS relies on your tyre’s ability to grip the road surface. Underinflated tyres may affect the ABS’s effectiveness as there’s less friction between the tyres and the road. This means your ABS may be unable to modulate the brake pressure, which can lead to longer stopping distances. Read our guide on how to check and inflate your tyre pressure.

If you're concerned your tyre(s) is underinflated, it's worth checking if the tyre pressure warning light (TPMS) is active on your dashboard. Checked or sorted your tyres and the TPMS light is still showing? Then, you may need to reset it.