So is ABS really effective?

[skyking]

ABS does not affect braking until you push too hard on the pedal and start sliding. Then it bails your ass out. If you locked the tires in the first place, YOU screwed up.

 

[waggy]

the way i see it the problems are


1) bald tires
2) idiot driver on b ald tires










12388438) ABS

 

[JulesMaximus]

ABS does not affect braking until you push too hard on the pedal and start sliding. Then it bails your ass out. If you locked the tires in the first place, YOU screwed up.

Let's face it, he screwed up when he got behind the wheel of that car. I'll admit to getting behind the wheel of many cars without first checking things like tires, signal lights, wipers etc. but I'm sure as hell not going to blame ABS because I was too dumb to check the tires before setting out on snow covered roads.

 

[Vdubchaos]

ABS can increase braking distance in a slippery/loose surface like snow, but it improves vehicle control. It's better to get in a fender bender than drive off the road and into a tree.

This

Personally I hate ABS in the snow, but at least it keeps you going straight.

MUCH better braking distances pumping without ABS....

Regardless, bald tires are the biggest issue you have. You simply shouldn't be driving even in the dry weather.....

 

[BoomerD]

ABS works...but it doesn't fix stupid.

 

[SSSnail]

Don't pull the fuse, extricate the directional control wheel actuator.

 

[mb]

ABS works...but it doesn't fix stupid.

Nor will it break the laws of physics.


Bald tires and snow... smart move.

 

[BoomerD]

Nor will it break the laws of physics.


Bald tires and snow... smart move.

He continues to prove why his former user name was "I am an Idiot."

 

[JoeMcJoe]

while you're at it, cut those seat belts too. everyone knows it's better to be thrown clear of the vehicle.

Very true.

And don't forget to pull the day time running light fuse too.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Very true.

And don't forget to pull the day time running light fuse too.

He should pull all the fuses. It's the only way to be sure.

 

[shortylickens]

ABS does not affect braking until you push too hard on the pedal and start sliding. Then it bails your ass out. If you locked the tires in the first place, YOU screwed up.

this is what I am saying, man.

 

[Pray To Jesus]

Worked for me 2x. Both times braked hard in the rain to slow down for a right turn. If I didn't have it I would have missed the turns.

 

[IEC]

ABS works.

Snow tires are better.

<-- Has driven in 18"+ of snow and through low visibility blizzards.

 

[Red Squirrel]

ABS is a great "hey, it looks like you're sliding!" indicator. :biggrin: My last car had it and my current car does not, I don't notice too much of a difference, other than the fact that if I do slam the brakes I'm probably doing an uncontrolled 360. :biggrin: (I tried it once for fun when no one was around) but that's probably because this car is 1/2 the weight of my last. I imagine ABS would help in such situation if I actually do decide to just slam the brakes.

If you brake gradually and let go to steer even without ABS you can be fine.

 

[rockyct]

Very true.

And don't forget to pull the day time running light fuse too.

and don't forget airbags. So many people feel sore after they explode right in their face.

 

[MaxPayne63]

Problem exists between seat and steering wheel.

 

[shortylickens]

Problem exists between seat and steering wheel.

As a general rule the people who drive like idiots also maintain their vehicles like idiots.

They are doubly dangerous in rough conditions.

 

[rudeguy]

Funny thing.

Just drove 15 miles into work through ice, snow and slush. Never slid and never had ABS kick in.

Weird

 

[OverVolt]

I dont mind the lack of abs on my car. I see it as a perk. ABS is for people too retarded to resist slamming on the brakes when they might be in an accident. Not having abs probably saved my life

A guy made a left turn onto a side street from the opposite side of the road directly into me. I was going 30mph as i entered the intersection and the dumbass turned left infront of me suddenly at 50mph into the college dorms cause he was so cool he didnt need to signal or be in the left turn lane or slow down.

So i had a split second to swerve and avoid him. Otherwise i would have t-boned him in the front fender at around 50-60combined for both of our vectors.

So i swerve in the rain, no abs, jam the breaks and turn, wheels squeal but dont lock. Car goes where i pointed it. I had only the diagonal distance of the intersection to stop in the rain on so-so tires. From 30 i got it down to around 15mph by the time i hit the curb, the front axel broke but the rear wheels stopped me from taking out a street light. Abs wouldve probably knocked out my braking power when the axle snapped. $5k on damage but no one was hurt is whats best. Better than breaking something in a head on.

 

[notposting]

I think ABS is effective at what it is designed to do.

However, when there is a good chunk of snow on the ground, I would prefer to deal with it myself -- and yes, after many years of driving in the UP, I trust myself over an automated system. Sometimes I *want* the wheels locked, and if the car turns a bit to either side, I don't care.

As for the OP's situation, I once had an accident in a similar situation, except newer tires and in an SUV with ABS. Also hit the only other car on the road at that hour. They didn't see us due to the 10' high snowbanks at the intersection (if they could've moved over a lane we would have missed). Came up to intersection very slowly, extra room, and ABS was like "NO SIR YOU WILL GO STRAIGHT AND NEVER STOP".

Then again, some people could use ABS. Women for example My wife damn near killed us all this summer on dry roads. The retards who merged onto the highway and then cut in front of us at 45 mph caused it, but I thought she was going to kill us. Lock brakes, overcorrect and yank wheel back and forth a few times. Finally did a 270 and ended up stopped in the center lane facing the side of the freeway. Left one of those huge weaving skidmarks that you see and wonder how they happened. At least our new car has everything for her -- AWD, ABS, traction control, airbags out the ass, etc.

 

[notposting]

Funny thing.

Just drove 15 miles into work through ice, snow and slush. Never slid and never had ABS kick in.

Weird

People who don't have to deal with huge piles of snow don't get it. I hate ABS because it will literally kick in as I am already pulling my foot off the brake (TOO SLOW MAGIC SYSTEM!).

:ninja:

Then again, my general response to trouble in the car is also to accelerate, so who knows? I probably watched Top Gun and movies with (fighter jets, starfighters, race cars, fast boats, fast animals, etc) too many times as a child.

 

[shortylickens]

different cars have different sensitivity and reaction times. In fact I bet with modern vehicles its probably something you can adjust with a computer.

 

[PingviN]

ABS is great but if you actually know how to drive properly (which many people dont) you should be able to get by on your skills. Slowly push down the brake pedal, dont slam it.

Problem is when you get into a situation where you're instinctively going to nail the break pedal into the floor. Training is fine and all, but when it comes down to it, I'd prefer to put my trust in the ABS than in my ability to break in a fashion that doesn't lock the wheels.

 

[rudeguy]

Problem is when you get into a situation where you're instinctively going to nail the break pedal into the floor. Training is fine and all, but when it comes down to it, I'd prefer to put my trust in the ABS than in my ability to break in a fashion that doesn't lock the wheels.

I have never instinctively nailed my brake pedal to the floor.

But then again I am not a moron.

 

[waggy]

I have never instinctively nailed my brake pedal to the floor.

But then again I am not a moron.

I don't doubt the first. I am willing to debater the 2nd.

:biggrin::awe: