Making Cars Safer

Active Safety Technologies
Anti-Lock Brake System: The function of the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is not nearly a mystery as it is a benefit. Clearly ABS stops brakes from locking up, but why does that matter? The answer to this question is simple: Without ABS, brakes will lock up in an emergency-braking situation. When this happens, the wheels stop turning, forcing the tires to lose grip with the road. The results are a loss of driver control, and increased stopping distances.


By monitoring wheel spin and regulating brake pressure, ABS is able to prevent brakes from locking up in an emergency braking situation. Once a sensor determines that a wheel has stopped spinning due to extreme braking forces, ABS fluctuates brake pressure to make sure the wheels keep moving, providing maximum braking power yet allowing the driver to steer and control the vehicle.


There are two variants of ABS: One system senses wheel lock-up and pulses the brake pressure to all four wheels. Advanced ABS, found on most Chrysler Group models, modulates brake pressure individually at each tire, providing the maximum possible braking pressure while maintaining vehicle control. The Chrysler Group now offers ABS on all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.


Brake Assist: Further improving stopping time, Brake Assist immediately detects an emergency brake situation and applies maximum brake pressure on your behalf without causing brake lock up. Research showed that drivers in emergency braking situations would not consistently apply the maximum possible. Brake Assist does this for the driver. Brake Assist is always coupled with advanced ABS, yielding dramatically reduced braking distances.


Traction Control System: Another tried-and-true stability control, Traction Control System (TCS) ensures wheels maintain grip during acceleration. To accomplish this task, sensors monitor the wheels to detect acceleration-related tire slip. In the event that tire slip is detected, the system applies the brakes on the affected wheel to regain traction. All-Speed Traction Control ups the ante with the ability to modulate power to the wheels when needed to control spin. The result is increased stability, especially on slippery surfaces. Chrysler Group now offers TCS on nearly all its cars, minivans and SUVs.