Ask Your Question today
Is it normal I hate the antilock braking system fitted to modern cars? I don't like power assisted brakes or steering or vehicle Stability control either but I find ABS dangerous as it increases braking distance on gravel or uneven roads and try to disable it in my car usually by pulling the fuse out. does anyone else do this?
LOL, when I read the question i though you meant Abs as in "abdominal muscles". was about to write a "wtf?1o_O" response.
I used to hate the damn ABS system and did it on my first car. But then we had an extreme driving course at the company and I've seen how much logic there's behind that. ABS does increase the breaking distance, BUT -it allows you to steer and not helplessly drift until you hit something. Whenever you have a sudden obstacle on the road and you drive on high speed you'd rather have that abs on, man.
I have nothing against abs, I don't really like my ones though.
I agree ABS will give you steering control but could that not be achieved via better modulation of the brake pedal?
I am certain I am a safer driver without ABS but that is not to say everyone is.
I plan on doing some advanced driver training so who knows, maybe I'll be converted.
Yeah, I slammed breaks and didn't have ABS, that's how I totalled my Crown Vic, I panicked and didn't think and slammed the breaks and I drifted horribly into a truck. Steering locked up too.
Locking wheels causes the tyre to slip on the road, greatly reducing the friction between it and the road. (grip).
A locked wheel grips less than one that is still moving.
Skidding also ruins your tyres: It causing flat spots, unbalances the wheels, and wears the tread much quicker.
ABS prevents this loss of grip (and loss of control) by releasing the brakes for a moment when the wheel is about to lock up and then re-applying them. (a couple hundred times per second)
This allows for maximum braking without locking up and losing grip on your tyres.
ABS does stop your vehicle in a shorter distance than it would skid to a stop.
The ABS in my car has saved me at least 3 times where I would've crashed in a car without it.
If the ABS annoys you, simply don't brake hard enough to lock the wheels. Then it won't even activate. At least it's there to save you when you need it.
I do agree with most of what you said except "this allows for maximum braking". It allows for maximum control but it is a trade off of maximum braking. Yes you are right about an ABS engaged stop being faster than a full skid stop but on uneven road where 1 wheel leaves the ground for a moment the ABS severly reduces braking effect where three wheels may otherwise have been slowing the vehicle at maximum friction. Also who continues full pedal pressure when a wheel locks?
I agree again that if I brake gently enough that ABS does not engage it will have no effect however road conditions are constantly changing so no one can break at the limit without finding that limit occasionally by locking a wheel briefly.
Give me a locked wheel with the option to reduce pedal pressure than some nanny system that turns my brakes off anyday.