Does ABS help in snow?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Someone told me it only helps when you're taking turns in a car but doens't really help if say you have to make a quick stop when there's snow or something.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

As far as I know, it helps because you can follow that instinct to mash the brakes without your wheels locking up. Beyond that I have no idea.

 

[McCarthy]

Does ABS help in snow?

Yes

 

[MDE]

It definately helps from what I've experienced.

 

[Shockwave]

It helps if you panic. Otherwise, I would say no. The point is it allows you to keep control of the car. The brakes dont lock thus you dont slide out of control or lose the ability to steer.
Now for my preference I prefer no anti lock brakes. In fact I hate ABS.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I love the noise ABS makes, it usually startles the hell out of you & then you have an accident

 

[beyonddc]

It helps.......allow you to have more control over the car.

 

[rh71]

Definitely. I jam the brakes on purpose at some stop signs to "practice reaction" and it doesn't skid most of the time when I fully expect it to. I only have rear-wheel ABS too...

 

[LittleWolf]

Originally posted by: beyonddc
It helps.......allow you to have more control over the car.

Yup it helps keep control of the car better. Also good systems helps less wheel spin while climbing up hills etc on ice.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Does ABS help in snow?

NO.


You will stop quicker in snow if you turn it off. It's called the snowplough effect.

ABS only adds to maneaverability when braking.

 

[Jzero]

It can "help" but don't go thinking that it's going to make your car stop as if you were on dry pavement.

 

[damonpip]

It does not make your car stop quicker, it only allows you to mash your brake and still have a it of control. Think about it: ABS pulses the brake, so the brakes are on 100% half the time. If you just skid, the brakes are on 100% the entire time. Obviously, you would brake faster just skidding.

EDIT: The best way to stop in the snow is without ABS, and knowing how to not lock up your wheels.

 

[DougK62]

My abs help me when I'm shoveling snow - they seem to take some of the work off of my lower back.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: damonpip
It does not make your car stop quicker, it only allows you to mash your brake and still have a it of control. Think about it: ABS pulses the brake, so the brakes are on 100% half the time. If you just skid, the brakes are on 100% the entire time. Obviously, you would brake faster just skidding.

EDIT: The best way to stop in the snow is without ABS, and knowing how to not lock up your wheels.

No. In snow you are better off locking up your wheels for the snowplough effect.

And ABS systems only disengage the brake when the wheel stop rotating, so 100% half the time is not true, but OK for explaining it in laymans terms.

 

[Papagayo]

Originally posted by: damonpip
It does not make your car stop quicker, it only allows you to mash your brake and still have a it of control. Think about it: ABS pulses the brake, so the brakes are on 100% half the time. If you just skid, the brakes are on 100% the entire time. Obviously, you would brake faster just skidding.

EDIT: The best way to stop in the snow is without ABS, and knowing how to not lock up your wheels.

I believe that it does make your car stop quicker than if you had your wheels locked. If I remember correctly, the initial friction is greater than sliding.. Since ABS pumps the brakes, it uses initial friction..

something like that..

 

[shenaniganz]

It depends on snow depth, deeper snow can help you decellerate faster because of a snowplow effect. But on icy roads ABS can slow you down faster. See article on ABS

 

[damonpip]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: damonpip
It does not make your car stop quicker, it only allows you to mash your brake and still have a it of control. Think about it: ABS pulses the brake, so the brakes are on 100% half the time. If you just skid, the brakes are on 100% the entire time. Obviously, you would brake faster just skidding.

EDIT: The best way to stop in the snow is without ABS, and knowing how to not lock up your wheels.

No. In snow you are better off locking up your wheels for the snowplough effect.

And ABS systems only disengage the brake when the wheel stop rotating, so 100% half the time is not true, but OK for explaining it in laymans terms.

Oh, I forgot about the snowplow effect. My way would however be better on icy roads.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
It helps if you panic. Otherwise, I would say no. The point is it allows you to keep control of the car. The brakes dont lock thus you dont slide out of control or lose the ability to steer.
Now for my preference I prefer no anti lock brakes. In fact I hate ABS.

ABS reduces stopping distance.


They aren't on 100% half the time. They oscillate between whatever it takes to slide and whatever it can reduce pressure to for non sliding. Static friction is higher than sliding friction.

 

[Hubris]

I haven't had much experience with ABS, and the Jeep I just bought if the first time I've owned a car which had them, but the first time they engaged, it scared the crap outta me, cause it was snowy out, and the first time I was using 4WD, so I thought I was fvcked. Luckily I discovered the pulsing in the brakes is completely normal.

 

[CraigRT]

I like to believe it helps.
well, it helps bad drivers anyhow.
it rarely comes on during the winter for me, cause i try to go slow enough at a safe speed anyways.

 

[tk149]

Yes and no. If you panic, it helps because it keeps your wheels from locking and your losing all control and sliding. If you keep your head and remember to pump your brakes, ABS won't engage anyway.

I personally like it because if ABS engages, then I know the road is a lot more slippery than I thought, so I know to slow down.

ABS is NOT a substitute for good driving.

 

[Vic]

No, ABS increases stopping distance. It is only helpful to people who think that the harder they mash the brakes, the faster they will stop (as that is never true).

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: McCarthy

Does ABS help in snow?

Yes

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Someone told me it only helps when you're taking turns in a car but doens't really help if say you have to make a quick stop when there's snow or something.

Entirely depends on the conditions. New wet snow, no. Refrozen ice that slightly resembles snow with patchs of road, yes. Ice, neither matter. Wet ice, no. wet leaves, no. Dry, abosolutely. Wet, absolutely.

And for those who think that ABS is for weanies, it is banned as a drivers aid in F1. It was too effective.