Deer Hits and ant-lock Brakes.

[Snagglefoot]

Almost hit a deer this evening. Wouldn't you know it, it was on stretch of highway where I rarely see deer. It bounded out of a deep ditch and stopped in my lane. I hit the brakes, was trying to anticipate where it was going to go next. It jumped into on oncoming lane just in the nick of time. I remember seeing it's hind legs just clearing the driver side corner of the car. I was still moving at a good clip as I went by. I had good control of the car but the tires were squealing heavily and after I passed the deer I looked back I could see my skid marks and tire smoke.

I didn't feel any pulsating on the pedal, as if totally locked up the brakes. Question: Would that be common on dry payment? I didn't expect to leave so much rubber on the road with anti-lock brakes. Kind of feels like I might have flat spotted the tires a bit as well.

 

[HangFire]

Tires can leave rubber on the road without total lock-up.

 

[PimTac]

I've never felt any pulsating at the brake pedal, instead it's the noise like going over rumble strips that I hear. The ABS works really fast so it's more of a vibration than anything.

 

[Skippy722]

My experience with ABS mirrors PimTac's. But what vehicle were you driving? Some vehicles only had 2 wheel ABS systems.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted by Skippy722
My experience with ABS mirrors PimTac's. But what vehicle were you driving? Some vehicles only had 2 wheel ABS systems.


2005 Ford Taurus. And yes, I mentioned pulsing but vibration is the better description. Getting the vibration on icing roads in the winter is totally common. I didn't get any of that today on the dry pavement when I was laying rubber down.

 

[rubberchicken]

Snaggle- you might have a malfunctioning ABS servo thingy ( I forgot what the name is, we call them ABS pumps). There was a run of ABS pumps made in Japan that had the wrong spec check valves, and they corroded and caused the ABS pump to not work. The end result was that your brakes acted just like regular brakes- no ABS modulation . Your make and model is not the type that had this particular pump, but perhaps it was an unusual failure. Perhaps you could try to get the ABS to activate the next time there is a rain storm.

 

[ecotourist]

I had a somewhat similar experience in North Dakota when a deer jumped out of the ditch and ran into the side of my Accord. I automatically hit the brakes and left noticeable though not heavy skid marks on the highway. There was no screeching from the brakes that I can remember.

If you totally lock the brakes, the ABS doesn't do anything as there is no difference in rotation speed. Had that happen on ice with my Solara. Missed a turn on glare ice near Butte Montana and locked the brakes. Slid to an icy stop. There was no pulsation at all.

The brakes on both cars worked fine afterwards.

 

[DzoG20]

I had similar to OP experiences and I'm almost 100% sure my 4-wheel ABS did NOT activate. It was sort of a panic stop at about 50mph on dry pavement. In the winter I regularly activate the ABS at much lower speed (checking the traction limit) so I know it work and I'm very familiar how it feels. Early 2000's maxima here.

 

[Andrew1972]

Glad nothing happened.

A 2005 Taurus is likely running dated tech around 1999 for ABS controller and bits from a company never known for superior braking on a plebeian midsize.

If the car was steerable/controllable still it worked.

 

[bullwinkle]

Older ABS systems would leave alternating skid marks from one side to the other, with bare spots in between-sure that isn't what you saw?

 

[MCompact]

In my F22 fitted with Michelin PSS tires I almost never activate the ABS anywhere except on the track- and then only when it is raining fairly hard. Ditto for my old MS3 with the same rubber.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by MCompact
In my F22 fitted with Michelin PSS tires I almost never activate the ABS anywhere except on the track- and then only when it is raining fairly hard. Ditto for my old MS3 with the same rubber.


Great traction the system has little use. All-seasons winter conditions sends these systems into full tilt. Use winter tires in similar condtions ABS rarely if ever activates.