Fault in the Wheel? How One Sensor Decides Your Safety

Sun, 03 May 2026 13:11:54 +0000

# Fault in the Wheel: How One Sensor Determines Your Safety on the Road Driving a car involves an intricate dance of thousands of sensors working together to keep you safe. Among these, the wheel speed sensor plays a critical role — often unnoticed, yet absolutely vital to vehicle safety. When a fault occurs in this compact but powerful device, your entire driving experience is at risk. In this article, we dive deep into how a single wheel speed sensor influences vehicle safety, what happens when it fails, and why early detection matters. ## What Are Wheel Speed Sensors and How Do They Work? Wheel speed sensors are key components of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control systems (TCS), and electronic stability control (ESC). These sensors monitor the rotational speed of each wheel in real-time, sending precise data to the car’s vehicle control unit (VCU). By continuously tracking how fast each wheel spins, the system can detect slipping, lockup, or abnormal deceleration—enabling vital safety interventions.