I was driving today in very very light snow, maybe 1/2 inch on the ground, the car was slowing down fine, for a stop sign, then all of a sudden the ABS kicks in and the car just doesn't stop. It always does this, and it happened again on the same trip, this time I almost ran a stop sign while applying the brakes starting from 3/4 of the way down the block! I was maybe doing 30 mph, which is maybe a little fast for conditions, but it was stopping fine, until the ABS kicked in, and it was like I wasnt stepping on the brake at all! Have any of you had this happen, it is quite unnerving, and I feel there is NO WAY that ABS can even come close to stopping shorter on anything but bone dry pavement. I really feel its a liability under any other condition. Let me know what you guys think, I started a post on how much I hate electronic nannies a few months ago, this is another rant.
I Hate ABS
- Thread starter parimento1
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yes it has freaked me out on a few occasions, but then again it has saved me a time or 2. Overall I would rather have ABS than not have it.
JTK
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ABS does tend to keep you from completely loosing it and spinning out. My Cobalt is non-ABS. You've got to be on your A-game in real slippery situations with it. The rear drums lock up easily causing the rear to want to get ahead of the front. I'm used to driving either so it's not a huge deal, but IMO, I'll take ABS in the winter over non.
Joel
Joel
It sounds like you may have a sensor that isn't "watching" the wheel speed accurately. My neighbour had this problem with his Cavalier. It never set a light on the dash, but it would do similar things in the rain/snow. He kept complaining to the dealer and they replaced the sensors near the wheels and all was fixed.
They told him that they pulled the fuse on the ABS and that he should drive it for a day or two and see if the brakes worked without the car skidding... They did, so that's when they replaced the sensors and the problem went away all together.
He has been driving problem free for 3 years now...
Just a thought!
They told him that they pulled the fuse on the ABS and that he should drive it for a day or two and see if the brakes worked without the car skidding... They did, so that's when they replaced the sensors and the problem went away all together.
He has been driving problem free for 3 years now...
Just a thought!
I agree. I used to have ABS on my old 94 Grand Am, and it used to do the same thing. It seems to work on wet pavement (above freezing), but in winter it's useless. Obviously, that was older technology, but I couldn't stand it.
My Civic doesn't have ABS. I just put good winter tires on. I've had to make a few sudden stops, and with the winter tires, it stops fine with no lockup. It helps if you use some common sense too. ABS is like anything, it has a use, but also has its limitations. And like traction control, not cheap to fix either!
My Civic doesn't have ABS. I just put good winter tires on. I've had to make a few sudden stops, and with the winter tires, it stops fine with no lockup. It helps if you use some common sense too. ABS is like anything, it has a use, but also has its limitations. And like traction control, not cheap to fix either!
I don't drive in snow very often, but for my driving I am happy to have ABS.
I was sold on ABS back in 2005 or 2006. I was leaving school in my 2001 Ranger, going down a main road. There are a number of side roads with stop signs on this road. As I approached one of the side roads at about 45 MPH, a Pontiac Grand Am just pulled out in front of me. They were stopped at a stop sign, but apparently did not see my bright red truck and decided to pull out. Before I knew it, the Grand Am was directly in front of me. I hit the brakes, but I was going to have to steer to avoid the car. The ABS kicked in and I was able to maintain control while I maneuvered the truck around the front of the Grand Am. Had the brakes locked up, I don't think I would have been able to get around the car or maintain control of the truck. My friend, a football player, was sitting in the passenger seat. He was screaming like a school girl - if that gives you an idea of how close the Grand Am was, lol.
I was sold on ABS back in 2005 or 2006. I was leaving school in my 2001 Ranger, going down a main road. There are a number of side roads with stop signs on this road. As I approached one of the side roads at about 45 MPH, a Pontiac Grand Am just pulled out in front of me. They were stopped at a stop sign, but apparently did not see my bright red truck and decided to pull out. Before I knew it, the Grand Am was directly in front of me. I hit the brakes, but I was going to have to steer to avoid the car. The ABS kicked in and I was able to maintain control while I maneuvered the truck around the front of the Grand Am. Had the brakes locked up, I don't think I would have been able to get around the car or maintain control of the truck. My friend, a football player, was sitting in the passenger seat. He was screaming like a school girl - if that gives you an idea of how close the Grand Am was, lol.
I think there is a big difference in some ABS systems, disc/drum not working as well as all disc, and when ABS is supplied standard in some lower price cars I think the systems are not as refined. I remember paying as much as $1000 to have optional ABS in the past, and I have always felt that ABS worked well. It seems to me those that complain have the disc/drum system. I had a 95 Ranger with rear drums, and the noises and time delay when ABS was activated was not reassuring. The rear shoes have to travel more distance than pads on disc brakes. It would be interesting to see a poll of those who have ABS and how satisfied they are and tabulated by which cars they had...
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Originally Posted By: John K
I think there is a big difference in some ABS systems, disc/drum not working as well as all disc, and when ABS is supplied standard in some lower price cars I think the systems are not as refined. I remember paying as much as $1000 to have optional ABS in the past, and I have always felt that ABS worked well. It seems to me those that complain have the disc/drum system. I had a 95 Ranger with rear drums, and the noises and time delay when ABS was activated was not reassuring. The rear shoes have to travel more distance than pads on disc brakes. It would be interesting to see a poll of those who have ABS and how satisfied they are and tabulated by which cars they had...
Doesn't matter if the brakes are properly adjusted. I had ABS on my last car that was Drum/Discs and it worked flawlessly and only when needed. I have it now in my current car with 4 wheel disc and I find it a bit sensitive. (Not as much as you stated above) but it does come on more than I would like... But I would rather have it than not...
I know from my previous car that when the shoes weren't adjusted properly the ABS would actually cause a bit of rear sway and not keep it dead in control like it's supposed to.
I think there is a big difference in some ABS systems, disc/drum not working as well as all disc, and when ABS is supplied standard in some lower price cars I think the systems are not as refined. I remember paying as much as $1000 to have optional ABS in the past, and I have always felt that ABS worked well. It seems to me those that complain have the disc/drum system. I had a 95 Ranger with rear drums, and the noises and time delay when ABS was activated was not reassuring. The rear shoes have to travel more distance than pads on disc brakes. It would be interesting to see a poll of those who have ABS and how satisfied they are and tabulated by which cars they had...
Doesn't matter if the brakes are properly adjusted. I had ABS on my last car that was Drum/Discs and it worked flawlessly and only when needed. I have it now in my current car with 4 wheel disc and I find it a bit sensitive. (Not as much as you stated above) but it does come on more than I would like... But I would rather have it than not...
I know from my previous car that when the shoes weren't adjusted properly the ABS would actually cause a bit of rear sway and not keep it dead in control like it's supposed to.
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap! I have almost been in two accidents due to ABS releasing my brakes and taking too long to reapply them. I finally pulled my fuse and now drive around with that stupid ABS light on all the time, but the brakes work excellant. Sometimes you just need to skid a little to shift the weight of the vehicle so that you can make an evasive maneuver effectively. ABS won't allow it.
FWIW: I took Defensive driving along with my Drivers Education course which taught me a lot about ABS and NON-ABS systems... I can drive in both and sometimes when I feel that ABS isn't doing a good job I pump the brakes to signal that I want to take control and it lets me take over... But it's nice to have for split re-actions because we all hit the brakes in a panic as I think its almost part of our nature...
ABS is not ideal for snow or dirt. There should be an off/on switch.
That said, the Mazda3 ABS seems to work well with my studded Cooper Weathermasters in all conditions I've come across.
That said, the Mazda3 ABS seems to work well with my studded Cooper Weathermasters in all conditions I've come across.
Originally Posted By: another Todd
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap! I have almost been in two accidents due to ABS releasing my brakes and taking too long to reapply them. I finally pulled my fuse and now drive around with that stupid ABS light on all the time, but the brakes work excellant. Sometimes you just need to skid a little to shift the weight of the vehicle so that you can make an evasive maneuver effectively. ABS won't allow it.
Agreed. I have nearly blown through a stop light at an off ramp when I was barely on the brakes due to a washboard surface. The ABS kicked in waaaaaaay too early causing me to have no brakes. This was in the TL which I assume has a decent ABS system.
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap! I have almost been in two accidents due to ABS releasing my brakes and taking too long to reapply them. I finally pulled my fuse and now drive around with that stupid ABS light on all the time, but the brakes work excellant. Sometimes you just need to skid a little to shift the weight of the vehicle so that you can make an evasive maneuver effectively. ABS won't allow it.
Agreed. I have nearly blown through a stop light at an off ramp when I was barely on the brakes due to a washboard surface. The ABS kicked in waaaaaaay too early causing me to have no brakes. This was in the TL which I assume has a decent ABS system.
I wish ABS had a sensor in it so at say 0-80% brake force it would intervene but when the pedal is down to the last 20% it's under your control. That way if you release the brakes to modulate a skid, the ABS can intervene, and if you use maximum force the ABS realizes you are trying to lock them up or haul it down hard.
I love driving my 1994 Accord in the snow with Blizzak tires and no ABS. We have a long winter and after the first few weeks of winter conditions it becomes fun to buzz around driving near the traction limit!
Our Toyota Sienna with Blizzaks and ABS is not bad but I don't have the feeling of being in control.
The only time I find ABS is helpful is if you enter a slippery corner much too fast and need to break and turn at the same time.
Our Toyota Sienna with Blizzaks and ABS is not bad but I don't have the feeling of being in control.
The only time I find ABS is helpful is if you enter a slippery corner much too fast and need to break and turn at the same time.
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Originally Posted By: another Todd
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap! I have almost been in two accidents due to ABS releasing my brakes and taking too long to reapply them. I finally pulled my fuse and now drive around with that stupid ABS light on all the time, but the brakes work excellant. Sometimes you just need to skid a little to shift the weight of the vehicle so that you can make an evasive maneuver effectively. ABS won't allow it.
I agree. IF you have good driving skills nothing can beat the reactions and judgement of a human brain that is skilled when it comes to driving in poor slippery weather conditions. I have driven cars with ABS and without and I always prefer my car without when in slippery conditions.
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap! I have almost been in two accidents due to ABS releasing my brakes and taking too long to reapply them. I finally pulled my fuse and now drive around with that stupid ABS light on all the time, but the brakes work excellant. Sometimes you just need to skid a little to shift the weight of the vehicle so that you can make an evasive maneuver effectively. ABS won't allow it.
I agree. IF you have good driving skills nothing can beat the reactions and judgement of a human brain that is skilled when it comes to driving in poor slippery weather conditions. I have driven cars with ABS and without and I always prefer my car without when in slippery conditions.
I don't have ABS, but isn't it easy to disconnect the ABS motor.
Just pull the fuse to disable the system...
Originally Posted By: another Todd
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap!
I think I'm pretty good at driving. I have never wrecked or lost control of a vehicle despite doing my fair share of reckless stuff. I still like ABS though. Most of the vehicles I have driven, and every vehicle I have owned has had ABS though. I guess I'm used to it being there.
Even when the ABS kicks in, my truck can still stop in a pretty short distance.
If you "know" how to drive, then ABS is craap!
I think I'm pretty good at driving. I have never wrecked or lost control of a vehicle despite doing my fair share of reckless stuff. I still like ABS though. Most of the vehicles I have driven, and every vehicle I have owned has had ABS though. I guess I'm used to it being there.
Even when the ABS kicks in, my truck can still stop in a pretty short distance.
Originally Posted By: TylerL
I don't have ABS, but isn't it easy to disconnect the ABS motor.
It can be disabled with one fuse in my truck. Some people with Rangers (and I'm sure with other vehicles) add a switch on the dash to cut it off.
I don't have ABS, but isn't it easy to disconnect the ABS motor.
It can be disabled with one fuse in my truck. Some people with Rangers (and I'm sure with other vehicles) add a switch on the dash to cut it off.
It's handy in true panic situations. I can think of several where it saved my tail.
Then again, there are a lot of situations where I've been cursing it. So it's a mixed bag.
Then again, there are a lot of situations where I've been cursing it. So it's a mixed bag.
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