When Audi launched the original Quattro, it had a switch to disable the ABS when driving on Gravel & soft Snow. The car stopped much quicker with locked wheels as the Gravel/Snow built up in front of the locked wheels to form a wedge.

this is the same theory with snow

Spyderman said:

When Audi launched the original Quattro, it had a switch to disable the ABS when driving on Gravel & soft Snow. The car stopped much quicker with locked wheels as the Gravel/Snow built up in front of the locked wheels to form a wedge.

Click to expand...

This was because ABS at the time only monitored 3 wheels, or presumably 2 wheels and 1 axle. This is why Land Rover would not fit ABS on to the Range Rover (or anything else) until 4 channel ABS was available, so that it would work on low friction surfaces with 4wd. Land Rover were the first manufacturer to fit 4 channel ABS.

My Vectra CDX was the first car I ever had with ABS. The first time it kicked in it really took me by surprise - leaf mulch on road that was just on the point of freezing coming up to a give way sign. The only time I've really needed it though was one morning when the gritters hadn't been out and all the roads were frozen and about an inch of snow on top. I think the kerb actually slowed me down more than anything when I slid sideways into it.

My Megane, now the emergency brake assist took some getting used to as it is velocity sensitive like Yamaha keyboards. Even only pressing it halfway down but moving your foot quickly puts you in emergency stop mode with the ABS. Nearly lost all me fillings everytime I went out in it...

mondo said:

yup!

a Depender

Click to expand...

.
.
.
As in a [Depender], ble Land Cruiser

hey up another northwester!

RAZ8550TDI said:

i .......... have disconected the abs on my other cars as i dont trust it as far as i could throw it, had better experience via my own cadence braking every time.

Click to expand...

If that is so, then you are a dangerous, ignorant and conceited driver, and one day you will learn a hard lesson. Let's hope neither you nor anyone else has to die while you gain experience.

If you have a crash, and the cops find out you disconnected your ABS, expect BIG trouble in the courts, and cancelled insurance cover.

The simple fact is this - NO DRIVER in a car without ABS can stop and / or steer in as short a distance as any competent driver can in the same sort of car WITH ABS.

Tyre make differences are practically irrelevant, and his mention of 'cadence braking' serves only to show he has no idea of the principles here.

ABS can release and apply the brakes AT EACH WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY which NO non-ABS car or driver can do. When a driver tries 'cadence braking' and eases the brake pedal, ALL the brakes stop working together. When ABS does it, it does it TEN TIMES faster than the driver can do it, and it does it EACH WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY.

Believe me lads and lassies, NO-ONE without ABS can beat ABS when it comes to stopping.

Charles

well personally i would trust the technology over the human.Why invent something that you would be better off without?
Although in the space race the yanks spent tons of money getting a pen that would write in zero g.The ruskies just used a pencil

slob said:

just outta curiousity, how many folk have had their ABS kick for real?
the only time mine kicks in is when i jump on the brakes on a loose surface.
i've had to do a few emergency stop but the ABS never joins in. me wheels don't lock up but i don't get that pulsing through the pedal.

Click to expand...

Hi Slob,

That is because your personal experience of stopping smartish WITHOUT locking up wheels (and without ABS) has tuned your brains (reactions) NOT to stomp on the brake pedal too hard! You KNOW what will happen if you do - loss of control - and you are 'tuned' not to create that situation

What I did when I got the Disco with ABS was to find a nice big space with a soaking wet surface, and try stopping. By FAR the best stopping was by STANDING HARD on the brake pedal, and while it made horrible noises, the stopping was little short of amazing, and I could also STEER well all the time.

One of the dangers using ABS for real 'on the road' is the guy BEHIND you not having ABS, but if he hits you, that's his fault, and your tow-bar may help minimise your damage anyway.

CharlesY